Québec solidaire campaigns in Laval over rising grocery costs
Credit Québec solidaire Courtesy
Québec solidaire representatives gathered at Marché 440, the largest public market in Laval, on July 11 to discuss rising grocery costs with residents as part of a province-wide campaign focused on the cost of living.
According to a press release issued by the party, co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal was joined by Sabrina Di Matteo (Laval-des-Rapides), Karine Cliche (Sainte-Rose), Geru Schneider (Chomedey), Josée Chevalier (Fabre) and Stella Bourgon-Germain (Vimont-Auteuil), five of Québec solidaire’s six Laval candidates during the event, where they spoke with shoppers, collected signatures for a petition and presented the party’s proposals aimed at reducing grocery costs.
Grocery prices remain a concern
The campaign comes as many households continue to face higher expenses for housing, transportation and food.
According to Québec solidaire, citing data from the Institut de la statistique du Québec, the average cost of a grocery basket has increased by 27 per cent since 2021, representing an annual expense of approximately $16,800 for a family.
During the event, Ghazal conducted street interviews with visitors to hear their concerns about the rising cost of living.
Party outlines proposals
Québec solidaire used the event to promote several policy proposals related to food affordability.
According to the party, these include creating a network of publicly operated grocery stores offering lower-priced food sourced from local producers, limiting profit margins for major grocery chains to 2 per cent, and prohibiting what it describes as unfair commercial practices such as misleading discounts and excessive price increases.
The party argues that stronger public measures are needed to address food affordability alongside rising housing and transportation costs.
Campaign to continue across Laval
Québec solidaire says its volunteers and candidates will continue campaigning in Laval’s six provincial ridings over the coming months to present the party’s proposals and gather feedback from residents on cost-of-living issues.
The party officially nominated six candidates for Laval during an investiture held on May 24: Stella Bourgon-Germain (Vimont-Auteuil), Josée Chevalier (Fabre), Karine Cliche (Sainte-Rose), Sabrina Di Matteo (Laval-des-Rapides), Zachary Robert (Mille-Îles) and Geru Schneider (Chomedey).
