Behind closed doors: Doug Ford kills grocery price cap, then meets Loblaw CEO a day later

The day prior to the gathering, Ford shot down calls from opposition parties at Queen’s Park urging the government to restrict grocers from using dynamic or “surveillance pricing” techniques. Addressing reporters on April 16, Ford characterized such regulatory interventions as antithetical to free-market principles.

“I believe in a capitalist society, free market, the market dictates,” Ford said at the time, arguing that government attempts to dictate or oversee individual store prices represented “socialism” that “does not work.”

Both the Ontario NDP and the Ontario Liberals had introduced measures aimed at protecting consumers from personalized or algorithmic pricing strategies at the checkout as residents continue to navigate high food inflation and broader cost-of-living challenges.

Lobbying records and official response

While the premier’s calendar did not detail the specifics of the lunch conversation, official registry filings show Per Bank registered to lobby the provincial government on retail sector policy, data and privacy regulations.

The premier’s office did not respond to queries from Money.ca by press time regarding why the meeting was held at Ford’s private residence rather than at Queen’s Park, nor whether specific topics like surveillance pricing were discussed.

In a statement provided to Global News, Loblaw noted the corporation is already on the record stating it doesn’t use surveillance pricing and highlighted its advocacy for removing property controls across the retail grocery sector.

Official opposition leaders criticized the timing and private nature of the gathering. NDP Leader Marit Stiles told reporters at Queen’s Park the sequence of events demonstrates the government’s priorities, alleging the premier is choosing to consult corporate executives over struggling consumers.

Market competition and lingering industry skepticism

While rejecting price controls, Ford maintained that his government would react strongly against anti-competitive practices.

“There’s no better way of letting people get lower costs... than competition,” Ford said, adding he would tear grocers “to shreds” if evidence surfaced of price collusion.

Public skepticism around corporate grocery conduct remains high in Canada following past industry-wide scandals. Major supermarket chains, including Loblaw, previously faced intense public scrutiny and legal oversight over a 14-year bread price-fixing scheme that artificially inflated the cost of commercial packaged bread nationwide.

Opposition parties continue to demand greater transparency and regulatory oversight, arguing that free-market forces alone have failed to protect Canadian households from escalating grocery bills.