Toronto councillor pitches city-run grocery stores

An employee stocks a display at a grocery store in Toronto on Thursday, March 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

One Toronto councillor is proposing a city-run grocery store pilot project as he says more people are struggling to afford basic necessities.

Humber River-Black Creek Coun. Anthony Perruzza says food bank usage has “surged” across the city, and that many neighbourhoods lack full-service grocery stores that offer affordable, healthy options.

He said residents in those areas, sometimes referred to as “food deserts,” are forced to shop at convenience stores where prices are higher as a result.

“Access to good, affordable food is essential to people’s health and well-being,” Perruzza said in a statement issued Thursday. “Too many Torontonians are turning to food banks because groceries have become unaffordable. If we want to make life more affordable, we need to take bold steps and this is one of them.”

The plan includes establishing four city-operated, not-for-profit grocery stores across Toronto, with one store in each community council district. Perruzza said priority would be given to neighbourhoods with limited access to grocery stores and lower household incomes.

The motion also includes a proposal to waive property taxes and development charges for these stores.

City-run grocery stores are not a new concept and came into the spotlight in last year’s mayoral election in New York City.

Democratic winner Mayor Zohran Mamdani pitched a similar idea to establish city-run markets in each of New York’s five boroughs at a cost of US$60 million. The idea was criticized at the time by some private supermarket owners, who said the move would create unfair competition. U.S. President Donald Trump said Mamdani and his plans were akin to communism.

It’s unclear how much Perruzza’s plan would cost the city or how long the pilot project would last. The motion will be brought before council on March 25.