‘A step ahead’: Federal, provincial governments to research grocery retailer charges on suppliers

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“I’m delighted. I believe it’s a step ahead,” stated Michael Graydon, chief government of Meals, Well being and Shopper Merchandise of Canada, the foremost commerce affiliation for producers, which has been among the many loudest critics of grocery store charges and fines.

This summer time, Walmart Canada reignited debate over a code of conduct when it began charging its suppliers, as a approach to assist cowl multi-billion-dollar upgrades to its shops and e-commerce operations. Canada’s greatest grocer, Loblaw Cos. Ltd., adopted go well with final month with a price to assist cowl its personal upgrades, and a shopping for group that features Metro Inc. has requested for related remedy.

One of many nation’s greatest dairy processors is pushing again in opposition to the supermarkets. Lactalis Canada Inc., which incorporates the Beatrice milk, Astro yogurt and Black Diamond cheese manufacturers, informed retailers final week that it’ll not pay fines if shipments come up brief within the subsequent month, pointing to manufacturing challenges brought on by the current spike in COVID-19 instances.

‘Best’ that the working group will likely be led by a federal and a provincial minister

Michael Graydon, Meals, Well being and Shopper Merchandise of Canada

“What is going on as we speak isn’t conducive to having a robust ag sector,” André Lamontagne, Quebec’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Meals, stated in an interview. He’ll co-chair the working group with Bibeau.