Backgrounder: Competition Bureau reaches agreement with Sobeys’ parent company Empire to address grocery property controls

The Competition Bureau has reached an agreement with Empire to address concerns related to its use of property controls in the Canadian grocery industry. Empire is the parent company of multiple grocery banners including Sobeys, Farm Boy, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Marché Bonichoix and Les Marchés Tradition.

September 22, 2026– GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau has reached an agreement with Empire to address concerns related to its use of property controls in the Canadian grocery industry. Empire is the parent company of multiple grocery banners including Sobeys, Farm Boy, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Marché Bonichoix and Les Marchés Tradition.

The agreement is part of the Bureau's ongoing efforts to address property controls and other barriers that can harm competition in Canada’s grocery sector.

Property controls are restrictions that limit how a property can be used by others.

Restrictive covenants are restrictions on land that prevent a purchaser or owner of a commercial property from using the location to operate or lease to operators of certain types of business that compete with a previous owner.

Exclusivity clauses are generally found in commercial leases. They prevent landlords from leasing space to another tenant that competes with an existing tenant or limit what or how products can be sold.

On July 21, 2026, Empire announced commitments to change its use of property controls in the Canadian grocery sector. These commitments are now reflected in a consent agreement registered with the Competition Tribunal, making them legally binding and enforceable.