For many Torontonians, the weekly grocery run has become stressful. From produce to pantry staples, the cost of food continues to climb, pushing more people toward food banks and leaving some neighbourhoods with limited options for affordable groceries. At least one Toronto councillor says the city should try something bold, and he’s proposing opening city-run […]
Toronto’s problem is zoning laws that prevent competition, just look at the cost of commercial real estate, no smaller grocer is going to survive renting commercial real estate.
Grocers make very low profits on their goods, but own a lot of real estate that pumps their margins up and creates an oligopoly; McDonalds works similarly as a franchise, they also own and lease the land.
If real estate prices dont rise then food prices need to rise to maintain profit margins. Which probably explains much of the food inflation, we are finally seeing the true economy when interest rates arent perpetually going lower.
Ford already tackled zoning. Municipalities don’t have that power.
https://www.ontario.ca/document/citizens-guide-land-use-planning/zoning-bylaws#section-12
Why is Alberta outbuilding cities like Toronto then if its solved?