Comp Bureau broadens probe into Sobeys for property control after court approval
The bureau says the new Federal Court orders will add company records and testimony on how property controls affect competition.
- On Monday, June 22, 2026, the Federal Court issued orders allowing the Competition Bureau to expand its investigation into Empire Company Ltd. nationwide, focusing on the grocer's use of property controls that potentially restrict competition.
- The Competition Bureau initially centered its probe on Halifax in 2024, after a market study found these lease clauses restrict commercial real estate usage and can limit competition, increase prices, and reduce consumer choice.
- This expanded order requires Empire to produce documents regarding how it negotiates property controls, which often restrict competitors from entering mall structures, as exemplified by a 2017 case in Crowsnest Pass, Alta., where Empire's IGA store was the only grocer in the town of about 6,000 residents.
- Walmart and Loblaw previously pledged to end property controls, though the Competition Bureau emphasized no conclusion of wrongdoing has been reached and continues monitoring the sector while expanding its probe into Empire.
- Addressing food prices remains a "challenge," said professor Stuart Smyth, and while the Competition Bureau's actions aim to increase market competitiveness, some observers remain skeptical these structural changes will provide immediate consumer relief.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Competition Bureau looking deeper into how Sobeys can control who sells food in your area
The Competition Bureau has obtained court orders requiring the parent company of Sobeys to produce documents and testimony for its investigation into property controls, which are agreements that can limit the places where a new grocery store can open.
The Competition Bureau indicated that it needs additional documentation in its investigation of Empire, Sobeys' parent company, regarding its ownership control practices across Canada.
Competition Bureau broadens probe into Sobeys for property control issue
GATINEAU — The Competition Bureau is widening its probe into Sobeys parent company Empire Co. Ltd. for its use of property controls across Canada. The bureau previously received an initial court order in 2024 requiring the grocer to provide information focused on property controls in Halifax. The competition watchdog said on Monday it had received […]
The Toronto Star
Comp Bureau broadens probe into Sobeys for property control after court approval
GATINEAU - The Competition Bureau says it needs more records in its investigation into Sobeys parent company Empire Co. Ltd. for its use of property controls across Canada.
Penticton Western News
Vernon Morning StarProperty control probe expanded Canada-wide to parent company of Safeway, IGA
The Competition Bureau of Canada has been granted expanded orders to investigate the parent company of Safeway, IGA and FreshCo to assess whether its practices harm competition in the retail grocery industry. The Federal Court issued orders for the Competition Bureau to advance its investigation into Empire Company Ltd.’s use of property controls in Canada, according to a news release Monday (June 22). Empire is the parent company of Safeway, IG…
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