Groceries are checked out at a No Frills grocery store in Toronto, Thursday, May 30, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
The Manitoba government has released a first-in-Canada grocery study outlining further measures to help lower food prices.
Finance Minister Adrien Sala says the province is using every tool available, from cracking down on predatory pricing to eliminating property controls that limit competition.
The study was released on Monday, just ahead of the removal of provincial sales tax from all groceries starting July 1.
The study recommends new measures to address grocery prices and strengthen the food system, including reintroducing nutritious food basket costing, a $2.5 million investment in Harvest Manitoba‘s Food Transformation Centre, and unit pricing to help combat shrinkflation.
“It’s great to see the Manitoba government tackling the cost of groceries, with initiatives that will lower grocery bills for everyone, and also help the families that need it most,” said Vince Barletta, CEO, Harvest Manitoba, in a release.
The study, which drew on input from researchers, community partners, producers and retailers, includes a broader analysis of grocery pricing in Manitoba along with longer-term policy recommendations.
New downtown grocery store in the works?
The study also recommends a new grocery store for downtown Winnipeg, an area long identified as having limited access to affordable food. Sources tell ChrisD.ca that Red River Co-op is planning to open a food store and pharmacy in the Portage Place redevelopment. A spokesperson for the grocery chain declined to comment.
“Full-scale grocery has always been part of our vision for the redevelopment, but no announcements have been made in this regard,” said Krista Sinaisky, director of corporate communications for True North Sports + Entertainment. The company’s construction division — True North Real Estate Development — is spearheading the mall’s redevelopment.
“More people are choosing to live downtown and that means we need more amenities,” the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ added in a statement. “Significant mixed-use development projects are taking shape and we’re seeing different kinds of businesses open in 2026 which reinforces the confidence we’re seeing downtown as it transforms into a vibrant urban neighbourhood.”
A spokesperson for Manitoba Finance Minister Adrien Sala declined to provide a comment on the planned grocery outlet by deadline.
The complete study can be read below:
