Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Jesse Kline: Like the NDP, public grocery stores are always a miserable failure

None of the real-world examples are encouraging, but Avi Lewis wants to try anyway

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

From Air Canada to the CBC to Petro-Canada, this country has a long history of costly government adventures in private enterprise that provide little-to-no-benefit to consumers. But NDP Leader Avi Lewis’s proposal for a network of state-run supermarkets and Toronto city council’s recent vote to green-light a pilot project for four municipal grocery stores shows that Canada is a place where bad ideas never die.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Or maybe this is an idea whose time has come. After all, who among us hasn’t whizzed through the self-checkout line at a supermarket and thought to ourselves: Why can’t this experience be more like renewing a diver’s license? Why can’t private retailers offer the limited selection and high prices that provincial liquor stores do?

Jesse Kline: Like the NDP, public grocery stores are always a miserable failure Back to video

This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Platformed will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

To be fair, socialist central planners never expect the unintended consequences that inevitably result from their policies. Lewis claims that, “A public option for groceries would reduce the cost of food and create thousands of good-paying........

© National Post