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EDMONTON — Alberta’s government says it is meeting with some of Canada’s largest grocers in an effort to address rising food prices, as households across the province face mounting affordability pressures.
Premier Danielle Smith said Albertans are experiencing “sticker shock” at the checkout, particularly for staple items such as meat, dairy and eggs, and are questioning why grocery bills have climbed so sharply.
“He’s meeting with grocery store owners to find out the kind of things that we can do to try to address the issue of food prices,” Smith said, referring to Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally.
Nally confirmed the province is in discussions with major grocery chains, saying the focus is on identifying ways to increase competition and lower costs for consumers.
“While many of the pressures on food prices are national and global, we’re focused on what we can change locally to increase competition and help lower prices for Albertans,” he said.
The move comes as food prices continue to rise across Canada, driven in part by global supply disruptions and higher transportation costs linked to elevated oil prices. Benchmark crude prices have climbed significantly since conflict in the Middle East escalated earlier this year, contributing to higher fuel costs and adding pressure to grocery prices.
According to Food Banks Canada, demand for food assistance is also increasing. Its 2025 HungerCount report shows food bank visits in Alberta rose 21.8 per cent year over year, the largest increase in the country. Nationally, visits have doubled since 2019.
The report also found 19 per cent of food bank users in Alberta are employed, while 40 per cent receive social assistance. Two-parent families accounted for nearly a quarter of visits, while single individuals made up the largest share.
Smith said the province is looking at options to reduce the cost of essential food items, though specific measures have not yet been outlined.
The premier also reiterated the government’s position on fuel taxes, saying Alberta will not immediately follow the federal government’s temporary suspension of its excise tax on gasoline and diesel. She said the province could reconsider its own fuel tax if oil prices remain elevated, noting the provincial tax could be removed if benchmark prices exceed $90 per barrel for a sustained period.
Critics have called for broader measures to address affordability, including caps on certain costs and increased income supports, while some advocacy groups say rising grocery prices are a key driver of growing food insecurity.
Grocery industry representatives have denied accusations of price gouging, even as profits in the sector have drawn scrutiny in recent years.
The province says discussions with grocers are ongoing as it looks for ways to ease pressure on household budgets.
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