For a few days in February, supermarket retailers appeared to be the most hated people in Canada. We had appearances in House of Commons committees, discussions about the adoption of a new Code of Conduct and the introduction of a bill—sponsored by federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh—that sought, among many things, to increase fines for price-fixing.

More than three months have gone by since Singh’s Bill C-352 passed second reading in the lower house, with NDP members enjoying support from the Conservative Party and the Bloc Québécois. It is unclear at this point if the bill will make it out of committee. What is evident is that Canadians are not having a good time at the cash register.

More than two-thirds of Canadians say they are paying more than they did six months ago for fruits (77 per cent), vegetables (79 per cent), beef (73 per cent), chicken (also 73 per cent) and bread (68 per cent), according to polling by Research Co. and Glacier Media. Majorities also report higher prices for........

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