Trudeau – Winnipeg Free Press

WINNIPEG — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a grocery code of conduct on board Canada's largest grocer could be a success.

“Having Lobla on board now means there's a lot of opportunity for him to move forward, which is something the government has been seeking for a long time,” Trudeau told the media after a press conference on Friday. in Winnipeg.

On Thursday, Loblaw said it would sign the food code after months of negotiations to clarify parts of the agreement.

“Now the code is fair and it doesn't lead to higher prices,” Loblaw Per Bank CEO said.

This code is designed to level the playing field for suppliers and smaller retailers in Canada's food industry.

Seeing foods sign up to the code is “a big step in the right direction,” Trudeau said.

Last December, Loblaw said it would not sign the code because of concerns it would raise prices for Canadians.

In recent months, governments have been under pressure to enact a voluntary code of conduct so that all food retailers can participate.

Grocers, including Loblaw, have denied allegations that they have profited from food inflation.

Metro and Empire, two other major Canadian food companies, have already adopted the code, but they say it won't work unless all the major players are on board.

Last December, Walmart Canada, which expressed concern that the code would raise prices for Canadians, has not committed to signing on. The company said Thursday it was reviewing the latest version.

Michael Graydon, chairman of the code's interim board, said Thursday that Costco has had “some inquiries about certain aspects” of the code, but he hopes to sign off on it as well.