Competition Bureau smacks down Empire in Crowsnest Pass

Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, has only one grocery store: an IGA store, owned by Canadian grocery oligarchs Empire.

Back in 2017, Empire imposed their notorious (and insidious) "property control", a restriction that would ensure that the IGA would remain the only grocery store in town. That would mean higher prices and limited product options for citizens.

This week, the Competition Bureau - after a long investigation - determined that this property control was anti-competitive. Matthew Boswell, the Commissioner of Competition, stated:

"Market forces – not property controls – should determine whether and where new grocery stores can open in communities across Canada. The removal of this property control in Crowsnest Pass will allow for more grocery competition to the benefit of its residents. We encourage all businesses that use property controls to review them and ensure that they comply with the law."

A big win for the residents of Crowsnest Pass! Citizen's Choice applauds the Competition Bureau's work, and we support its ongoing work to undo this anti-competitive practice by Empire.

The competition bureau invites citizens to provide their input about the use of property controls in the Canadian grocery industry.