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Manitoba bill targets technology that could alter grocery prices for some shoppers
Bill 49 bans grocery retailers from using personal data to set prices and enables penalties, citing U.S. studies showing price differences up to 13%, government says.
- On Tuesday, Manitoba Finance Minister Adrien Sala introduced Bill 49, the Business Practices Amendment Act, banning "personalized algorithmic pricing" in online and physical retail to ensure prices remain fair and consistent.
- Citing 2025 Consumer Reports findings showing artificial intelligence varied U.S. grocery prices by 13 per cent, Sala said documented evidence in other jurisdictions warranted preemptive action to prevent "predatory pricing" locally.
- The legislation covers online systems and electronic shelf labels, allowing provincial authorities to impose fines or administrative penalties on retailers using personal data to adjust costs; loyalty program discounts remain exempt.
- Senior vice-president Gary Sands said the federation is "puzzled" by the bill, noting such pricing practices reportedly do not occur in Canada and calling the measure "looking for a problem."
- This initiative aligns with Premier Wab Kinew's broader affordability agenda and follows previous grocery competition legislation, with further measures potentially appearing in the budget set for release next week.
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12 Articles
12 Articles
The Toronto Star+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
Manitoba bill targets technology that could alter grocery prices for some shoppers
WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government says it's moving to ban what it calls "predatory pricing" on groceries, even though the issue hasn't been seen locally.
·Toronto, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 43%
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