BILL NO. 241
(as introduced)
1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
4 Charles III, 2026
Private Member's Public Bill
Grocery Price Study and Food Affordability Act
The Honourable Derek Mombourquette
Sydney–Membertou
First Reading: March 10, 2026
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act Respecting a Grocery Price Study
and Food Affordability in Nova Scotia
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Grocery Price Study and Food Affordability Act.
2 The purpose of this Act is to
(a) establish a comprehensive, data-driven study of grocery pricing and food affordability in the Province;
(b) identify factors contributing to rising grocery prices, including market concentration and supply chain pressures;
(c) support the development of policies to reduce grocery costs, increase competition and strengthen food security; and
(d) improve access to affordable, healthy and nutritious food for all Nova Scotians.
"Department" means the Department of Service Nova Scotia;
"grocery retailer" means a person or entity engaged in the retail sale of food or household consumable goods;
"Minister" means the Minister of Service Nova Scotia;
"Panel" means the panel appointed under subsection 4(1);
"study" means the grocery price study referred to in subsection 4(1).
4 (1) After consulting with the leaders of the recognized parties of the House of Assembly, the Governor in Council shall, within 60 days of the coming into force of this Act, appoint a panel of no more than 10 members to conduct a grocery price study for the Province.
(2) The Governor in Council shall designate one of the members as Chair of the Panel.
(3) In making appointments to the Panel, the Governor in Council shall seek to ensure that the Panel
(a) reflects a diversity of perspectives, including regional representation within the Province; and
(b) collectively demonstrates expertise in matters relevant to the study, including
- (i) food affordability and food security,
(ii) agriculture and food production,
(iii) supply chains and distribution systems,
(4) Subject to Section 16, Panel members are to be
(a) paid such remuneration as determined by the Governor in Council; and
(b) reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with the work of the Panel.
6 In carrying out its duties, the Panel shall act independently of the Government of the Province and in the public interest.
7 (1) In conducting the study, the Panel shall examine factors affecting grocery prices and food affordability, including
(a) trends in grocery pricing over time;
(b) market concentration and competitive dynamics in the grocery sector;
(c) pricing practices, including personalized pricing, algorithmic pricing and other potentially predatory practices;
(d) barriers to entry for independent and local grocery retailers;
(e) supply chain costs, production inputs and distribution systems;
(f) the sustainability and viability of agricultural producers and local food systems;
(g) disparities in access to affordable and healthy food, including food deserts;
(h) food affordability challenges faced by vulnerable populations; and
(i) any other matter prescribed by the regulations.
(2) The Panel shall conduct the study in a manner that is
(a) independent and evidence-based;
(b) informed by consultation with experts, stakeholders and the public; and
(c) transparent and methodologically rigorous.
8 (1) For the purpose of conducting the study, the Panel may require a grocery retailer or other prescribed entity to provide information or records respecting
(d) use of pricing technologies or algorithms; and
(e) any other matter the Panel considers relevant to grocery pricing.
(2) A person required to provide information or records under subsection (1) shall comply within the time specified by the Panel.
(a) keep any commercially sensitive information collected by it confidential; and
(b) use such information only for the purposes of the study.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Panel may publish aggregated or anonymized data.
10 In conducting the study, the Panel shall identify opportunities to
(a) reduce grocery costs for consumers;
(b) improve price transparency, including unit pricing and shelf-label accuracy;
(c) enhance competition and reduce anti-competitive practices;
(d) regulate or address the use of consumer data in grocery pricing;
(e) strengthen local food systems and supply chains;
(f) improve access to food in underserved communities;
(g) reduce food waste and improve food donation systems; and
(h) support equitable access to nutritious food.
11 In conducting the study, the Panel shall evaluate
(a) existing provincial laws, policies and programs affecting grocery pricing;
(b) potential regulatory or legislative measures within provincial jurisdiction;
(c) opportunities for collaboration with the Government of Canada on competition issues; and
(d) any other matter prescribed by the regulations.
12 (1) Within 12 months of the coming into force of this Act, the Panel shall provide the Minister with the Panel's interim report on the study.
(2) The interim report must include
(b) recommendations for immediate actions to reduce grocery costs.
(3) Within 30 days of receiving the Panel's interim report, the Minister shall
(a) table the interim report in the House of Assembly or, where the House of Assembly is not then sitting, file the interim report with the Clerk of the House of Assembly; and
(b) publish the interim report on the website of the Department.
13 (1) Within 18 months of the coming into force of this Act, the Panel shall provide the Minister with the Panel's final report on the study.
(2) The final report must include
(a) a comprehensive analysis of grocery pricing in the Province;
(b) recommendations for short-term, medium-term and long-term policy measures; and
(c) proposed legislative or regulatory changes.
(3) Within 30 days of receiving the Panel's final report, the Minister shall
(a) table the final report in the House of Assembly or, where the House of Assembly is not then sitting, file the interim report with the Clerk of the House of Assembly; and
(b) publish the final report on the website of the Department.
14 (1) Within 120 days of tabling or filing the Panel's final report, as the case may be, the Minister shall
(a) table the Government's response to the Panel's final report or, where the House of Assembly is not then sitting, file the response with the Clerk of the House of Assembly; and
(b) publish the Government's response to the Panel's final report on the website of the Department.
(2) The Government's response to the final Panel's final report must include the actions the Government intends to take and timelines for implementation of such actions.
15 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) prescribing factors affecting grocery prices and food affordability that must be examined by the Panel;
(b) prescribing entities or classes of entities that may be required by the Panel to provide information or records relevant to grocery pricing;
(c) prescribing policy matter that must be evaluated in the study;
(d) respecting any matter necessary or advisable to carry out effectively the intent and purpose of this Act.
(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
16 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2026 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created March 10, 2026. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
