OTTAWA — Canadians are not buying into the idea of government-run grocery stores, according to new polling released Thursday by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). The poll, conducted by Leger, shows that 58% of Canadians with an opinion consider the plan a bad idea, while only 42% support it.
Taxpayer Watchdog Urges Politicians to Drop Plan
The CTF's Ontario Director, Noah Jarvis, stated: “Canadians struggling with the rising cost-of-living know that government-run grocery stores won’t make life more affordable. Politicians who care about affordability need to cut taxes instead of gambling taxpayers’ money on a government grocery store.”
The plan, championed by federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis, proposes not-for-profit, publicly-owned grocery stores similar to Costco, aiming to cut grocery bills by up to 40% across Canada, with even higher savings in the North. However, the poll indicates that women, those over 55, and Quebec residents are more likely to oppose the idea.
Toronto City Council Eyes Pilot Project
Despite public skepticism, Toronto City Council voted in March to explore a pilot project for four municipally-operated, non-profit grocery stores. This move was inspired by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s plan to open a store in each of the five boroughs, despite pushback from local business owners who fear unfair competition.
Anti-poverty advocates, including the Daily Bread Food Bank, warned that without massive public subsidies, such stores would do little to address food security. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the plan “the craziest idea” he’s ever heard, stating, “Socialism does not work. Nothing beats a free market.”
History of Failed Government Grocery Stores
Examples of failed government-run grocery stores in North America include a market in Jacksonville, Florida, which closed in 2024 after struggling to compete with Walmart, and a $29-million venture in Kansas City, Missouri, that lost nearly $1 million annually before closing in August 2025 due to crime and financial difficulties.
Jarvis concluded: “Even the supporters of government grocery stores know this scheme will cost taxpayers a ton of money. Instead of taking a bad gamble with taxpayer money, Lewis and Toronto politicians concerned with affordability should push for meaningful tax cuts for all Canadians.”
