Government tells Loblaw, Walmart sign a grocery code or risk legislation

The House of Commons committee looking into food prices has told Loblaw and Walmart they should sign the Grocery Code of Conduct or risk it becoming law, according to a Canadian Press story.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food stated in a letter Friday to the executives of Loblaw and Walmart Canada that implementation of the Code is essential to tackle the issues facing the food industry.

Loblaw and Walmart have said they will not the sign the code as it’s drafted and warned that it could increase food prices. Other grocery organizations and associations, including Metro and Sobeys, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, and the Retail Council of Canada have been in support of a non-legislated Grocery Code of Conduct.