Local and nation-wide rallies demand action against grocery price gouging

Rallies took place nationwide on Saturday, as concerned citizens demanded “the biggest grocery chains to stop price gouging hardworking Canadians.”

Rallies took place nationwide on Saturday, as concerned citizens demanded “the biggest grocery chains to stop price gouging hardworking Canadians.”

Low-income advocacy group, The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), organized the movement which spanned nine cities across the country.

One of the speakers at the rally near Sobeys at 94 Bridgeport Road East in Waterloo was Ezekiel Gonzolez, a board member of Waterloo Region ACORN. He emphasized the dire situation faced by many Canadians.

"People are having to choose between paying bills and rent or being able to have enough to eat," he said.

ACORN Canada is urging the federal government to take action by imposing taxes on excessive profits made by grocery chains and implementing price caps on essential food items.

“What's the excuse? Europe has already been doing it for quite a while. Why can't we do it here?” questioned Gonzolez.

In response to the nationwide rallies, a spokesperson for Sobeys said in a statement: “We respect the right to peaceful protest. We also expect that demonstrators will not impede customers coming into our stores so that they can go about their shopping without interference or intimidation. The safety of our teammates and customers is our top priority.”