The Liberal government tabled its first piece of legislation of the parliamentary session aimed to address housing and grocery prices.

“This legislation will enhance competition across the economy, with a focus on the grocery sector to help stabilize grocery prices for Canadians, and remove the GST on the construction of new apartment buildings to help get more rental homes built faster,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Sept. 21.

Ms. Freeland announced Bill C-56, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, flanked by other ministers in Ottawa.

The government has blamed high food prices on profits made by grocers, and it will try to address the issue by amending the Competition Act to increase the powers of the Commissioner of Competition.