What to know
- Doug Ford criticized Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s plan for city-run grocery stores, calling it “crazy” and “socialism,” while clarifying he supports the mayor personally.
- Ford argued grocery stores already operate on thin profit margins (around two to four per cent) suggesting a city-run model would require “huge” subsidies and cost taxpayers more.
- Despite his opposition, Toronto City Council approved a pilot program prior to his comment with implementation details expected April 22.
In an unrelated press conference on Thursday, Ford reacted to an affordability plan that would allow city-run grocery stores in Toronto.
Ford began answering a reporter’s question about his reaction to the plan, by saying that he’s not against Mayor Olivia Chow herself.
“I love the mayor, okay? But this is the craziest idea I’ve ever heard,” he said at the conference. “These grocery stores, and these are experts, the Costcos, the Walmarts, the Loblaws, they make two to three per cent.”
Ford was referring to the net profit margin that grocery stores make on total sales. A recent 2026 report by Grocery Store News showed that Ford was correct, with stores making an average of two to four per cent for every $100 worth of groceries sold. This percentage comes after the stores have paid suppliers, wages, rent, logistics, and taxes.
Despite this, the City of Toronto went ahead and approved a motion to introduce a pilot for a city-run grocery store.
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The motion aims to improve affordability, while also addressing food insecurity, but Ford says it’s a move that would cost the city more money, and that the mayor would be subsidizing the motion “huge.”
Ultimately, Ford said the plan wasn’t for him to decide on.
“We can’t have city-run grocery stores but that’s up to the mayor,” he said.
Still, Ford made sure his opinion on the matter was known.
“It’s crazy, it’s socialism,” he said.
Toronto’s city manager is set to present implementation measures for the pilot at a City Council meeting on April 22.
