Sobeys’ parent agrees to ease property controls after watchdog’s probe

CONSUMER Sobeys’ parent agrees to ease property controls after watchdog’s probe By Ariel Rabinovitch Global News Posted September 22, 2026 3:07 pm Updated September 22, 2026 3:28 pm 2 min read Canada's Competition Bureau has expanded its investigation into Empire Company Ltd., the parent company of Sobeys, over its use of property controls amid concerns they may be limiting competition in the grocery sector. Global's Jazan Grewal is joined by Michael Widener, a Geography and Planning professor at the University of Toronto, for a closer look into the probe and what it means for consumers.  – Jun 28, 2026 LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE Empire, the parent company of Sobeys’, Farm Boy, Foodland, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo and other store banners, agreed to relax its use of property controls following a probe by Canada’s Competition Bureau, which argues the tactics reduce competition in the grocery industry. Details were revealed by the Competition Bureau in a release Tuesday. “The agreement with Empire removes barriers to competition and will support new entry and increased competition from retailers selling everyday essential items,” said the Competition Bureau. “The Bureau is committed to identifying and addressing barriers that limit competition across the food supply chain so that Canadians see the benefits of competition in the form of lower prices, greater choice and increased innovation.” The new consent agreement reflects prior commitments by Empire in July to change its use of property controls, and by registering the agreement with the Competition Tribunal, those commitments are now legally binding and enforceable. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT Under the terms of the agreement with the Competition Bureau, Empire agreed to “no longer enforce existing restrictive covenants, enter new restrictive covenants, or request that others establish restrictive covenants that benefit Empire.” Get daily Montreal news Get daily Montreal news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories. SIGN UP FOR DAILY MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. The agreement also states that Empire will “limit its use of exclusivity clauses.” Related Videos 1:42 Valleyview IGA reopens in west…