Québec solidaire proposes state-run grocery stores to slash food costs by 30%

Could grocery bills drop by a third? The party's radical plan targets corporate profits and wealth inequality—but will voters buy in? Debate looms before the election.

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2026 May 10 . 2:13 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old book with a map of the city of Quebec on it. The map is detailed and shows... — The image shows an old book with a map of the city of Quebec on it. The map is detailed and shows the various streets, buildings, and other landmarks of the area. The text on the book provides additional information about the map, such as the names of the cities and the distances between them.

Québec solidaire proposes state-run grocery stores to slash food costs by 30%

Québec solidaire has unveiled plans to tackle rising living costs ahead of October’s general election. The party will push for publicly run grocery stores and a new wealth tax to cut food prices and fund social programmes. Leaders claim these measures could reduce grocery bills by up to 30 per cent. If elected, the party intends to launch a pilot scheme for non-profit, state-run supermarkets. The project would cost $100 million to start and $85 million annually to operate. Food would be bought in bulk, with a focus on local suppliers, and sold at prices lower than major chains.

A key part of the plan involves capping profit margins for big grocery retailers at two per cent. To fund these changes, Québec solidaire proposes a one per cent annual tax on individuals with assets over $25 million. This tax alone could generate $5 billion in government revenue.

The party will also debate a housing strategy at its upcoming conference. This includes a strict cap on rent increases to ease pressure on tenants. The proposals aim to lower food costs and stabilise housing expenses. Funding would come largely from higher taxes on the wealthiest residents. The party’s platform will now be debated before the October vote.

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