The Competition Bureau has obtained court orders to advance its investigation into Empire Company Limited's use of property controls in Canada. Empire is the parent company of Sobeys, Farm Boy, Safeway, IGA, Foodland and FreshCo, among others.
The Bureau's investigation is examining the company's use of property controls across Canada to assess whether their practices harm competition in the retail grocery industry. Lack of competition in the grocery industry can result in higher prices, lower quality and less availability.
The court orders, granted by the Federal Court, require the production of records, written information and oral testimony relevant to the Bureau's investigation.
Earlier in the investigation, the Bureau obtained an initial court order requiring Empire to produce information focused on property controls in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The new orders will provide the Bureau additional information about the scope of Empire's practices in Canada, including how the company negotiates property controls and their potential impacts on competition across Canada.
The investigation is ongoing and there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time.
The Bureau focuses its work on sectors that matter to Canadians, including those affecting essential household expenses like food.
