New Democrats want a price cap on grocery store staples — Liberals say it won't work

The federal New Democrats say they want a price cap on grocery store staples if the Liberal government can't convince grocers to bring down the prices themselves.

Some countries in Europe have implemented similar measures, and while it's something Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said he has looked into, he doesn't think it's a good idea.

«You have commodities which are traded on a global scale. So think about sugar, think about wheat. How can you have a price in one particular region?» he said Tuesday.

«But I think the better way to do that is keep putting pressure on the grocers, on the large manufacturers around the world, and bringing more competition.»

For months, the Liberals have been trying to get big grocers in Canada to sign a code of conduct they say will bring down food prices for everyone.

Champagne has even said he's trying to court a foreign grocer to introduce competition.

«I think it would help up shake up the market and bring better prices,» he said.

Some food costs have recently eased due to a decline in inflation, but New Democrats say prices have not dropped nearly as much as they have risen in the past three years. They accuse grocers of being greedy.

«We're talking about an essential basket of goods that should be affordable for Canadians, and we want to force grocery stores to do that, otherwise we will impose a price cap,» NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh proposed on Tuesday.

His party currently has a non-binding motion before the House of Commons that calls for such a measure, but it's not likely to pass.

Not only are Champagne and his fellow Liberals opposed to the idea, but the Conservatives are, too.

If Singh was truly interested in bringing down food prices, the NDP would support the