Timiskaming-Cochrane NDP MPP John Vanthof is suggesting collusion between the Ford government and the grocery giants, allowing grocery prices to be so high.
In the legislature, he said people with jobs are being forced to go to food banks.
“You know who else is having a hard time? The farmers who actually produce the food. They’re having a hard time paying their bills,” he said. The processors are having a hard time making their margins. But you know who isn’t having a hard time? The monopolies who control the grocery business.”
Vanthof added that the monopolies continue to record profits that are higher than inflation, and keep going up.
He accused the Ford government of being their gatekeepers, continuing to support them.
“They want to give them as much business as they can. At what point is the government of Ontario going to protect the people who produce the food and the people who consume the food from the monopolies?”
Agriculture and food minister Lisa Thompson replied that the recent provincial budget contains several measures to do just that. She suggested that Vanthof can help by supporting the budget.
