Minister Champagne triples consumer advocacy funding to support research and consumer awareness

Government of Canada launches targeted calls for research on shrinkflation and dequaliflation

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced an investment in the Contributions Program for Non-Profit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations as part of the Government of Canada's plan to tackle food inflation in Canada. For the next five years, the program's funding will be tripled, bringing it from its initial funding of $1.69 million to $5 million annually. This will allow the government to expand the scope of existing consumer projects to increase research in the retail sector, including groceries.

At the same time, the government is launching targeted calls to support new research projects on practices harmful to consumers, such as shrinkflation and dequaliflation, and the creation of new tools to support consumers in making informed choices and reducing household costs.

These two measures contribute to the government's ongoing efforts to make life more affordable and support Canadians, building on initiatives aimed at making Canada's economy more competitive, increasing affordability for Canadians in their day-to-day lives and tackling practices harmful to consumers.

Later today, Minister Champagne will meet with consumer advocacy groups to continue efforts to bring relief to Canadian consumers and stabilize food prices in Canada. This meeting will also be an opportunity for Minister Champagne to hear from key stakeholders on ways to enhance support for consumer advocacy groups in Canada.

Quote

"As the cost of groceries has risen drastically over the past years, Canadian consumers require strong advocacy groups to represent their interests. With today's announcement, we are providing further support to consumer organizations so they can continue to be strong allies to Canadians in identifying harmful practices, such as shrinkflation and dequaliflation, in the retail sector. By working in closer collaboration with consumer advocacy groups, our government will be able to hold the grocers and manufacturers more accountable."

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Quick facts

• Shrinkflation is the practice of reducing the size or quantity of a product while the price of the product remains the same or slightly increases.
• Dequaliflation is using less expensive and perhaps inferior ingredients to produce a product that appears to be the same product.

Associated links

• Minister Champagne reports on the initial commitments from the five largest grocers to stabilize food prices
• Government introduces legislation to build more rental homes and stabilize grocery prices
• Fighting for the middle class
• Making life more affordable – Grocery rebate
• Joint statement on the development of Canada's first-ever Grocery Code of Conduct

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Audrey Champoux, Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]