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Overview
The Government of Alberta is seeking input from stakeholders on how retail grocery stores use property controls, such as restrictive covenants and exclusivity clauses.
Retail grocery chains are using property controls to block retail or commercial properties from being used in ways that create competition for the chain, regardless of whether the chain is currently operating at that location. This results in higher prices, due to reduced competition, and can prevent other grocery stores from operating in a neighbourhood.
Government is seeking feedback on a proposed model that would:
- prohibit existing and future property controls specific to grocery stores
- provide a mechanism for holders of existing grocery-related property controls to register within a defined period of time
- gather stakeholder feedback on alternatives
Stakeholder engagement
Engagement will be conducted through 2 phases.
Phase 1
The first phase of engagement will collect stakeholder feedback on a proposed framework from March 18 to April 15, 2026.
Stakeholders include:
- advisory committees
- grocers
- municipalities
- consumer and food-security organizations
- real estate and legal bodies
- appeal tribunals
- government jurisdictions
- business associations, including the Edmonton and Calgary Chambers of Commerce
These stakeholders will be engaged through targeted meetings and a survey.
Written submissions will be accepted and welcomed throughout the engagement period.
Phase 2
The second phase of engagement in Fall 2026 will focus on operational matters for the regulations.
Outcomes
Phase 1
Phase 1 will close on April 15, 2026.
Contact
Connect with the engagement team to provide feedback or ask questions:
Email: [email protected]