Canada’s agriculture ministers are welcoming grocery stores’ development of a Grocery Code of Conduct.
Walmart and Costco were the last of the major retailers to sign on.
The code was a topic of discussion during a ministers’ gathering recently in Yukon.
Quebec Minister André Lamontagne says it will bring transparency and fairness to food pricing.
“With this code of conduct that will be put in place by the industry, has been designed by the industry and every partner, every member of this industry subscribed today to this frame of work that will definitely bring more predictability, transparency, fairness among the chain,” says Lamontagne.
To support its development, the senior levels of government are contributing $1.2 million to assist in setting up an adjudication office that will handle disputes between suppliers and grocers.
It is to come into effect next July.
Federal Minister Lawrence McCauley admits it will not necessarily lower food costs.
“We’re indicating quite clearly this grocery code is not meant, it will not lower prices, but it will create more fairness,” says McCauley.
“And it would be just for the consumer themselves to be able to see that really the trail. You always cheer from the gate to the plate. Well, I think it’s fair that consumers see what takes place generally, mostly from gate to the plate.”
