The Competition Bureau has reached a deal with Empire Co. Ltd. to remove a property control that the regulator says restricted grocery store competition in Crowsnest Pass, Alta. Empire Co. Ltd. announces their Olympic partnership at their Sobeys office in Mississauga, Ont. on Monday, October 7, 2019. (Photo: Canadian Press)

By Canadian Press

Competition Bureau reaches deal with Empire to end property control in Crowsnest Pass

Jan 16, 2025 | 9:43 AM

UPDATE: The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass has released the following statement in regards to the decision from the Competition Bureau:

“The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass would like to address recent media coverage regarding the Competition Bureau’s investigation into property restrictions impacting grocery store competition.

We want to reassure residents and businesses that the municipality was not involved in this matter and, like many of you, we learned about it through public reports.

We are pleased to see steps being taken that align with fostering fairness and opportunity. Our community values diversity and welcomes healthy competition that benefits all residents.

The Mayor, as the spokesperson for our community, will continue to represent the interests of Crowsnest Pass as needed.

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For more information about the investigation, please visit the Canadian Competition Bureau’s official updates.”

Original Story:

The Competition Bureau has reached a deal with Empire Co. Ltd. to remove a property control that the regulator says restricted grocery store competition in Crowsnest Pass, Alta.

Empire’s IGA store is the only grocery store in the town.

The regulator says its investigation found a property control restriction protected the store from competition and ensured it would continue to be the only grocery store in the area.

The bureau says the agreement Thursday means a competitor can move forward with plans to open a second grocery store in Crowsnest Pass.

Empire is the parent company of Sobeys Inc., which operates 1,600 stores across Canada under several banners including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, Foodland, Longos, Farm Boy, Thrifty Foods, Les Marchés Tradition and Marché BoniChoix.

The bureau says its investigations into the use of property controls by the parent companies of Sobeys and Loblaws are ongoing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2025.

Companies in this story: (TSX:EMP.A)

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