NDP calls for investigation into frozen potato price-fixing allegations

OTTAWA – On Monday, NDP critic for Innovation, Science and Industry Brian Masse (Windsor West) and critic for Food Price Inflation Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan—Malahat—Langford) wrote to the Competition Bureau to request an investigation into whether companies have been working together to raise the price of frozen potato products.

“This is just another example of CEOs potentially colluding together to make even bigger profits off the backs of Canadians,” said Masse. “Canadians deserve better and they deserve action. After years of disappointment and delays from Liberals and Conservatives, who have let big corporations off the hook, New Democrats are taking action.”

The letter comes after class-action lawsuits in the United States allege that four of the largest producers created a “potato cartel” that jacked up prices for people. This wouldn’t be the first time in Canada that grocers colluded to raise prices, as Canadians were gouged for a decade in a bread price-fixing scandal that saw millions of dollars in fines.

“People have been struggling with the price of food for years and deserve a break,” said MacGregor. “An investigation is so important to get to the bottom of this and make sure we put an end to corporate greed.”