Could government-run grocery stores lower food prices? Windsor residents weigh in

A new poll from Leger asked Canadians if the federal government should own grocery stores. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell shares more.

Windsor residents are divided on whether government-run grocery stores could help tackle rising food prices, as a new poll suggests many Canadians remain skeptical of the concept.

A Leger poll commissioned by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation found 45 per cent of Canadians believe government-run grocery stores are a bad idea, compared to 33 per cent who support the idea. Another 22 per cent were undecided.

Among those who expressed an opinion, 58 per cent viewed the proposal negatively, while 42 per cent supported it.

The concept has gained attention in recent months as governments and policymakers search for ways to address food affordability concerns.

For Windsor resident Brian Medwied, the idea is worth exploring.

“Grocery prices are getting high, so they may want to do something about that,” Medwied said.

“That could be a good first step, maybe for the fundamental ingredients and keep it simple.”

At the same time, he expressed concerns about whether government could effectively operate such a program.

“I would trust the government’s intentions, but I don’t know if I’d trust the efficacy of the program,” he said.

Others said their support would depend on whether grocery bills actually decreased.

“I think it might be okay,” said Windsor resident Ray Copeman.

“It would just depend on if they’re going to actually lower the price that they said they’re going to.”

Copeman said food costs have become increasingly difficult for many households.

“They’re extremely high. I don’t know how people are getting by. It’s like you’ve got to cut back on everything.”

Nancy Legault said rising grocery costs have been especially challenging while living on a fixed income.

“I don’t buy meat half the time, and it still costs me a couple hundred dollars,” she exclaimed.

Richard Cabanaw said he would support government-run stores if they could compete with existing discount grocers and provide meaningful savings.

“If the government can get on board with that and open up a place that isn’t going to skyrocket the prices of what we purchase, then I’m all for it,” he said.

Food policy expert Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, said the proposal deserves careful consideration but should not be viewed as a simple solution to food inflation.

“Right now, you have political parties promoting this concept for the wrong reasons,” Charlebois said in an interview on AM800.

He argued factors such as transportation, supply chains, labour costs, and food distribution play a significant role in determining prices.

Charlebois said the concept shouldn’t be dismissed outright, particularly in remote northern communities where food prices remain exceptionally high.

“You still have cucumbers at $20; you have tomatoes at $15,” he said, pointing to parts of northern Canada where access and affordability remain significant challenges.

He also suggested government involvement could be worth exploring in areas considered food deserts, where private grocers are reluctant to open stores because of concerns about crime, theft or profitability.

However, Charlebois cautioned against using public grocery stores as a tool to compete directly with private retailers.

“I think the model has merit,” he said.

“But you want to implement a model like that for the right reasons. And right now, all I’m hearing are the wrong reasons.”