Liberals and Bloc team up to block NDP bill to lower prices for Canadians

NDP critic for Innovation, Science and Industry Brian Masse issued the following statement:

“Canadians are frustrated—the cost of food, cellphone and internet services is sky-high. They expect their elected officials to put in place solutions to lower prices. That's what Jagmeet Singh and the NDP brought forward: a bill that would lower prices by imposing higher penalties for price-fixing and better protections for consumers from mergers that result in fewer choices and higher prices.

Today, at the parliamentary committee for industry, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals and the Bloc teamed up to block this bill that aimed to protect and lower costs for everyday Canadians. Over the last three years, the cost of food has increased by over 20 per cent and food bank usage is at a 35-year high. All the while, the grocery sector made record profits in 2023, raking in $6 billion. Instead of cracking down on out-of-control prices, the Liberals and the Bloc determined the best way forward is to give a free pass to these big corporations. They're going to keep letting corporations increase their prices and their profits on the backs of Canadians scrimping and saving.

This is appalling and out of touch. For over the three years, Justin Trudeau and his Liberals have done very little to lower food prices. Canadians deserve better.

New Democrats will continue to push for solutions to lower costs for Canadians. Our focus is and will always be to make Ottawa work for you and your family, not rich and powerful corporations.”