🍁 civid v1

Purpose and scope

• The bill would require the Minister of Industry to develop a national framework on grocery pricing and unit-price displays, in consultation with provincial representatives responsible for consumer affairs.
• It is intended to help consumers make informed purchases of food and other household goods. The framework would address practices in the grocery retail sector.

Framework

• The framework must include measures to establish national standards for:
  • Unit pricing, including the accuracy, usability and accessibility of displays.
  • Transparency about price increases, adjustments and fluctuations.
• It must also include measures to educate consumers about unit prices and how to use them.

Reports and deadlines

• Within 18 months after the Act comes into force, the Minister must prepare a report setting out the framework.
• Within five years after that report is tabled in both Houses of Parliament, the Minister must review the framework’s implementation and effectiveness, consult the same provincial representatives, and report conclusions and recommendations.
• Each report must be tabled in each House on one of its first 15 sitting days after completion, and published on the Department of Industry website within 10 days after tabling in both Houses.

Effect on existing law

• The provided text establishes framework-development and reporting duties. It does not amend an existing Act or itself set detailed unit-price rules, enforcement powers or funding.