(LifeSiteNews) — In a new Leger poll released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), 58 percent of Canadians claimed that government-run grocery stores are a “bad idea,” compared to 42 percent who support the proposal. Thirty-six percent called the concept a “very bad idea” while only 13 percent considered it to be “very good.”
Newly elected NDP Leader Avi Lewis championed the concept throughout his leadership campaign. Lewis proposed approximately 50 warehouse-style “Costco-like” public stores, backed by regional food hubs, claiming the initiative would launch for $350 million with $300 million in annual subsidies – while delivering grocery price cuts of around 30-40 percent (up to 45 percent in some northern communities) by eliminating corporate profits.
Avi Lewis: “We have a very clear plan to cut grocery prices by 30-40% for Canadians at a cost to the federal government … We’d subsidize it. It costs $350m to launch and $300m a year, which is one-half of 1% of the current defence budget.” pic.twitter.com/7HtXQnTn3R
— Scott Robertson (@sarobertson_) April 9, 2026
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Critics argue these savings claims ignore the razor-thin profit margins in grocery retail (typically around 2-5 percent) and the massive supply chain, distribution, and operational challenges that governments are ill-equipped to handle.
“One of the silliest ideas I’ve ever heard,” said CTF Alberta Director Kris Sims, responding to the parallel City of Toronto pilot project that would introduce four municipally operated, not-for-profit grocery stores.
The Toronto plan, approved by City Council in late March 2026 on a 21-3 vote, prioritizes “food deserts” in lower-income neighborhoods and would waive property taxes and fees to offer lower prices. Critics, including the CTF’s Franco Terrazzano and Noah Jarvis, warn it foreshadows the same failures Lewis envisions nationally: ongoing taxpayer subsidies, inefficiency, and little real relief for families.
When describing the proposal, Terrazzano claimed it may be “the worst idea ever,” citing the many attempts to do the same worldwide – and the failure of each of them. His counterpart Jarvis also explained that a close-to-home example of this experiment took place in Cairo, Illinois, where the state funneled tens of millions of taxpayer dollars into a government-run grocery store program that subsequently failed miserably. Jarvis referenced the barren shelves, limited selection, and reliance on government subsidies that ultimately rendered the project unsustainable.
Many of the struggles in that 2023 experiment highlight concerns that exist regarding the new proposal, including the complexity of the grocery store business. Per the CTF’s reference, grocery store chains deal with hundreds and even thousands of suppliers and sellers. The variety of suppliers is often seen as a unique strongpoint of Canadian culture and institutions and the concept of putting those responsibilities in the hands of the government is one that causes deep concern among economists.
CTF references the mismanagement of the “ArriveCan” app, rolled out during the COVID crisis. Years after its development and use, it was revealed that the app, which should have cost around $250,000 to create, left taxpayers on the hook for $54 million, in part due to a lack of government due diligence. Though many Canadians are certainly reluctant to put their trust in grocery chains and corporations, polling shows there is a common sentiment that the government would be no better in handling the responsibilities that the typical chain is currently tasked with.
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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation goes on to offer multiple alternative solutions to high food costs, including slashing the industrial carbon tax as part of a broader effort to cut unnecessary financial burdens on the entire grocery process. This is described as a reasonable and simple solution that sharply contrasts the expensive and complex ideas that Avi Lewis, the NDP, and the city of Toronto are currently proposing.
The state-run grocery store proposal does have support among some left-leaning groups seeking alternatives to large corporate grocers. Proponents argue it could provide competition and better access in underserved areas; however, polling and expert commentary reflect ongoing debate about whether government involvement in retail operations offers the most effective path to affordability.