City-owned grocery stores are not a good idea, Ottawa’s mayor says

An Ottawa city councillor wants the city to explore the idea of city-owned grocery stores as part of a wider strategy to improve access to food. CTV’s Kimberley

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says he doesn’t believe the public sector should be involved in owning grocery stores, as a city councillor proposes the City of Ottawa explore city-owned grocery stores as part of a strategy to improve food access and tackle food insecurity.

Coun. Marty Carr will introduce a motion at council today to direct staff to explore the feasibility of developing a municipal food strategy.

Carr’s motion recommends staff look at food access, food waste, food production and food distribution, and examine establishing “food hubs and city-owned grocery stores to improve access.”

Speaking on CTV Your Morning Ottawa, Sutcliffe said city-owned grocery stores are not a good idea.

“We have a food security issue in our city and it’s consistent with what’s happening in cities all over North America,” Sutcliffe said Wednesday.

“The City of Ottawa is investing more money than ever before to support the agencies that respond to the food crisis in our city. The cost of food has been rising dramatically, and it’s impacting many, many residents, including working-class residents, people who are just struggling to make ends meet. More people are relying on food banks than ever before.”

Sutcliffe said while the city needs to do “a number of different things” to support agencies in Ottawa and having the “right food infrastructure in place,” he is not in favour of City Hall running a grocery store.

“I don’t think the public sector needs to get involved in that,” the mayor said.

“There are many, many other ways that we can help the most affected residents without going into the business of running grocery stores.”

Last month, Toronto city council approved a motion for the city to establish a not-for-profit, city-run grocery store.

The proposal would see the city establish four city-operated, not-for-profit grocery stores across Toronto, with one store in each community council district.

City staff in Toronto have been directed to report back on the feasibility for city-operated grocery stores in the spring of 2027.

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