Competition Bureau’s Behind the Price Tag Survey.

About.

On June 16, 2026, the Competition Bureau launched an examination of competition in Canada’s food supply chain. Through this work, we are seeking to identify problems and solutions that could help consumers, businesses and producers benefit from more competition.

SSFPA will be collecting these responses to inform a submission on behalf of the sector. The deadline to submit your response for consideration is July 17, 2026.

Useful links.

Competition Bureau examination page
Full notice with all questions
Submit your own views directly to the Bureau

You can also submit your own views directly to the Competition Bureau using their online form. The deadline is July 31, 2026.

Complete the survey below. Your contact information will only be used to contact you for clarification, should the need arise.

Competition Bureau - Behind the Price Tag

I am: *

Food business/Founder

Shared-use facility or co-packer

Grower or primary processor

OtherOther

Business name *

Email *

Area 1: Production & Processing

Overall, how hard is it to compete in your part of the food production/processing business today?

(1 = Very easy to compete, 10 = Extremely difficult to compete)

Which of these make it harder or more expensive for your business to operate? (Check all that apply) *

Licensing requirements

Health & safety regulations

Municipal zoning rules

Interprovincial trade barriers (rules differ by province)

It's fine as it is

OtherOther

What's actually standing in your way if you wanted to grow your production, today or down the road? Licensing, inspections, the building you're in, rules that change at the provincial line, whatever it is.

Do you see high levels of concentration or market power in the food supply chain that impact businesses in food production or processing? If so, how does it affect your ability to compete? Think about who the main players are, where concentration is most noticeable, how it affects your ability to access markets or expand, and whether these challenges are the same across provinces.

How much does the size/market power of a few big players affect your ability to compete? *

(1 = No impact, 5 = Major impact)

If you selected 3+, which of these effects are you experiencing? (Check all that apply) *

Hard to get my product into stores/markets

Hard to negotiate fair prices/terms

Hard to expand into new regions

Different challenges in different provinces

OtherOther

Tell us more — Who are the main players you're competing against or selling to? Where do you feel the squeeze most?

Which business practices make it harder for you to compete? (Check all that apply) *

Exclusivity deals/contracts

Unfair contract terms

Slow or unfair payment practices

Difficulty getting shelf space or market access

It's fine as it is

OtherOther

Can you actually get what you need to run your business, workers, financing, equipment and technology, at a fair price? If not, what's blocking you?

Tell us more about any of these challenges

Area 2: Transportation & Distribution

Overall, how hard is it to get your product moved and distributed today? *

(1 = Very easy, 10 = Extremely difficult)

Which of these make it harder or more expensive for your business to operate? (Check all that apply) *

Licensing/permit requirements

Fees

Health & safety rules

Municipal zoning

Interprovincial barriers

It's fine as it is

How much does the size/market power of major distributors, wholesalers, or transportation companies affect you? *

(1 = No impact, 5 = Major impact)

If 3+, what's the effect? (Check all that apply) *

Limited access to distribution networks

Weak negotiating position on rates/terms

Harder to expand to new markets/regions

Differs by province

OtherOther

Do a small number of distributors, wholesalers, or shipping companies control too much in your region? Who are they, where do you feel it most, does it limit your ability to get shelf space or negotiate fair terms, and is this the same in other provinces or worse where you are?

Area 3: Retail Pricing

Which retail pricing practices do you think HURT competition? (Check all that apply) *

Loyalty programs

Pricing algorithms / dynamic pricing

Exclusive supplier deals

It's fine as it is

OtherOther

Which retail pricing practices do you think HELP competition? (Check all that apply) *

Price-matching policies

Transparent/published pricing

It's fine as it is

OtherOther

How much do these pricing practices disadvantage small/medium businesses vs. larger competitors? *

(1 = No disadvantage, 5 = Major disadvantage)

Does lack of access to data or technology limit your ability to compete on pricing? *

Yes

Not sure

How easy is it for you (or your customers) to compare prices and product value across retailers? *

(1 = Very easy, 5 = Very difficult)

Have you noticed "shrinkflation" (smaller package, same price) or "skimpflation" (lower quality, same price) affecting your ability to compete or your customers' ability to compare value? *

Yes, a lot

Somewhat

Not really

Not sure

Does that make it harder for shoppers to know what they're really paying for, and does it make it harder for them to choose your product instead?

What would most improve transparency and fairness in retail pricing? (check all that apply) *

Mandatory disclosure of price-per-unit

Rules limiting algorithmic pricing

Limits on loyalty-program data use

Stronger penalties for shrinkflation/skimpflation without disclosure

It's fine as it is

OtherOther

Anything else you'd like to add on retail pricing?

If you are human, leave this field blank.

Competition Bureau’s Behind the Price Tag Survey.

About.

Useful links.

Complete the survey below. Your contact information will only be used to contact you for clarification, should the need arise.

Competition Bureau - Behind the Price Tag

Area 1: Production & Processing

Area 2: Transportation & Distribution

Area 3: Retail Pricing

Small Scale Food Processor Association

1-866-547-7372