The rising cost of food: New tariffs on canned vegetables are not helping matters

Montreal, June 22, 2026 – Following the publication of Statistics Canada’s latest data on consumer prices, the MEI points out that the federal government’s recent decision to impose new tariffs on food products will put increased pressure on families’ wallets.

“The federal government cannot on the one hand claim to want to address the high cost of living while on the other hand imposing new taxes on the food Canadians consume,” explains Renaud Brossard, vice president of Communications at the MEI. “It is unfortunately Canadian families, and in particular low-income families, who will pay more because of this decision out of Ottawa.”

According to data published this morning by Statistics Canada, the Consumer Price Index increased 3.2 per cent over the past 12 months. Prices for food purchased from stores, for their part, rose 4.3 per cent over the past year. For the same period, the category of canned vegetables and other vegetable-based products saw price increases of 4.6 per cent.

The federal government announced Friday that it was imposing tariffs of 10 per cent on imported canned vegetables.

Last year, the MEI reiterated the fact that tariffs raise costs for local consumers, and called for greater trade liberalization rather than the imposition of new protectionist measures like tariffs.

***

The MEI is an independent public policy think tank with offices in Montreal, Ottawa, and Calgary. Through its publications, media appearances, and advisory services to policymakers, the MEI stimulates public policy debate and reforms based on sound economics and entrepreneurship.

— 30 —

Interview requests
Florence Plourde
Manager, Communications
Cell: 418-670-5939