Champagne says he's working phones to court new players for Canadian grocery market

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is once again insisting that he is reaching out to international grocers in the hopes they will open up shop in Canada and spur more competition.

The minister says he spoke to one foreign grocer Tuesday morning as part of his efforts to court new players to join the Canadian grocery sector  — but he's not naming any names. 

"I can't tell you too much, or else you won't ask me questions next week," Champagne told reporters in French. "I spoke with one company this morning."

Champagne met with Canadian grocers in the fall about food inflation and demanded they create plans to stabilize grocery prices or face consequences including potential tax measures.