Food Banks Canada web image
EDMONTON — Alberta’s New Democrats are pushing for a public inquiry into shrinkflation and skimpflation, arguing rising food prices are leaving families struggling to afford basic groceries.
Calgary Elbow MLA Samir Kayande plans to introduce Motion 505 on Monday afternoon, calling for an inquiry under the Public Inquiries Act into companies that reduce product size or quality without lowering prices. MLAs are expected to vote on the motion before the end of the day.
Kayande says many families are finding it harder to buy groceries despite stable employment, and he blames the United Conservative Party government for failing to address food insecurity. The motion urges the government to appoint at least one commissioner from Alberta’s Court of Appeal, Court of King’s Bench or Court of Justice to oversee the inquiry, and to grant the inquiry powers under section 7 of the Public Inquiries Act.
Concerns over food costs are also being raised federally. Laila Goodridge, the Conservative MP for Fort McMurray Cold Lake, says families are being overwhelmed by soaring baby formula costs. In a recent statement, she said families are being crushed by soaring baby formula prices, noting costs have risen 84 percent since 2017 and accusing the federal Liberals of failing to take meaningful action.
New Democrats say an inquiry would bring transparency to pricing practices and highlight policy gaps involving market concentration and competition. Kayande says Albertans need solutions and cannot afford further inaction.
According to the NDP, food prices in Alberta have risen 32 percent since 2019, faster than anywhere else in Canada. Food bank use has climbed 134 percent over that period, with more than 210,000 monthly visits reported. Nearly half of Albertans are within $200 of insolvency, and one in five children under six live in food insecure households.
Comments