Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Grocery Industry

During question period on the grocery industry, the NDP asked the government to ban surveillance pricing at grocery store checkouts, arguing grocery companies should not be allowed to use shoppers’ data against them and noting the spring economic statement as an opportunity to act. The Liberals replied that they support competition because it lowers prices, said they would be firm on competition policy, raised concerns about allegations that algorithms are being used to set prices, and said they would work with provinces and territories to protect consumers.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Leah Gazan

NDP
“I want the government to ban surveillance pricing at grocery store checkouts. The government should stop letting grocery companies take advantage of shoppers.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, while the Liberals line corporate pockets with sovereignty incentives paid for by the taxpayer, the NDP is fighting to ban creepy surveillance pricing at the grocery checkout. The Liberals shut this down. They have a second chance. Today’s spring economic statement is another chance to decide who they stand with: people getting ripped off at the grocery checkouts or companies that are exploiting the population. Will they act and ban surveillance pricing once and for all, or will they keep protecting corporate profits?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A– View analysis

Mélanie Joly

Liberal

Linked statement

“We support business competition because it lowers prices. We are worried about claims that computer algorithms are being used to fix prices. We will work with the provinces and territories to protect consumers.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 46 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, of course, we believe in competition, because we believe that competition brings down prices. That is why we have said clearly that we would be hawkish on competition. That being said, we are very concerned with the allegations linked to algorithmic competition. We want to make sure that, ultimately, consumers are well protected. This is work that we will be doing as well with the provinces and territories, and of course we will be there for consumers and Canadians across the country.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B– View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 112

All 34 items ·
  1. Government Orders Canadian Space Launch Act 116 statements
  2. Oral Questions Finance 12 statements
  3. Oral Questions Natural Resources 4 statements
  4. Oral Questions Transportation 2 statements
  5. Oral Questions Finance 14 statements
  6. Oral Questions Labour 4 statements
  7. Oral Questions Seniors 4 statements
  8. Oral Questions Housing 3 statements
  9. Oral Questions Finance 18 statements
  10. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Ethics 6 statements
  12. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Justice 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Grocery Industry 2 statements
  15. Government Orders Canadian Space Launch Act 25 statements
  16. Oral Questions Pharmacare 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Finance 6 statements