This bill creates a national plan to make food prices clearer for shoppers. It requires the government to work with provinces to set standards for how grocery stores display prices and unit prices (cost per unit like per kilogram). The bill also asks for education efforts to tell Canadians about unit pricing. The government must prepare a report on the plan within 18 months, review how well it works after five years, and share both reports with Parliament and the public.
If passed, the bill aims to help you understand food prices better. Stores would be expected to show clear, accurate unit prices, making it easier to compare products and avoid overpaying. Consumers also would learn about how unit pricing works through educational campaigns. The goal is to give you more information at the store, helping you make more informed shopping choices.
The bill requires the government to develop and publish reports on the framework. The costs involve creating the standards, developing educational materials, and conducting reviews. The fiscal note estimates these activities will cost approximately CAD 1 million over several years. The exact total might vary depending on how the standards and education campaigns are rolled out, but no additional funding beyond the initial budget is specified.
Supporters say the bill will make food shopping easier and fairer for consumers. Clearer price labels will help people compare prices quickly and avoid paying more than they should. They also believe education about unit prices will help Canadians make smarter money choices. Proponents argue this transparency can lead to more competitive prices among stores and benefit consumers financially.
Opponents believe the bill might increase costs for grocery stores, which could pass those costs onto consumers through higher prices. They worry that setting standards might be complicated and difficult to enforce consistently across stores nationwide. Some also question whether the changes will significantly lower food prices or just add regulatory red tape that could hurt small or local businesses.