Thoughts on BC Politics and More

"Although our country's food inflation has been among the lowest in the world, and Canada is among the most competitive nations on Earth when it comes to grocery retail, this provides little comfort to Canadians who are struggling," Michael Medline told MPs on the House of Commons agriculture committee. Medline is the CEO of Empire Company Ltd., which owns Sobeys and other grocery store chains ... CLICK HERE for the full story

As the grocery code of conduct nears completion, the Canadian industry's biggest player is raising concerns the guidelines could add fuel to the food inflation fire. Loblaw Companies Ltd. said it's worried the code could “raise food prices for Canadians by more than $1 billion” in a letter sent to members of both the steering committee developing the code and the industry sub-committee on Nov. 1, and obtained by The Canadian Press. The grocer cannot endorse the code in its current form, wrote chief financial officer Richard Dufresne in the letter, requesting a special meeting of the industry sub-committee to address Loblaw's concern ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Do you support large private corporations being given millions of your tax dollars on programs such as this one? This week’s report will be a short one. Chances are you have heard of the giant grocery retailer that is owned by Canada’s second wealthiest family, the Weston’s. Loblaws is a multi-billion dollar company that media sources reported, posted a $221 million net profit in the fourth quarter of 2018 The reason I mention this is the Liberal Government announced this week that it is giving Loblaws up to $12 million to help the for profit company to buy new, more energy efficient, refrigeration systems to help reduce Loblaws emissions. This announcement has been one of considerable controversy in Ottawa as both the NDP and the Conservative opposition strongly disagree. The obvious concern is that, when it comes to what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls “ putting a price on pollution ”, why does the average person have to pay when a multi-billion dollar priva...