The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Premier Wab Kinew to focus on making life more affordable by cutting taxes rather than spending taxpayers’ money on a government-grocery store scheme.

“The best way for the government to make life affordable is to cut taxes,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “Manitobans already pay the highest provincial taxes in Western Canada and can’t afford to send a dollar extra to the provincial government.”

The Manitoba government released a grocery price study that highlights potential “pilot projects” for government grocery stores in Manitoba.

Government grocery schemes have been tried for decades and have failed at making life more affordable while burning millions of tax dollars.

Kansas City spent more than $24 million on a grocery store since 2016. The store closed in August 2025 due to financial troubles and struggles to keep food on the shelves.

The Manitoba report cites Kansas City as an example of a government grocery store.

Meanwhile, a Manitoba family earning $75,000 pays more provincial taxes than a similar family living anywhere else in Western Canada.

“The evidence is clear is that government grocery stores do not work,” Haubrich said. “Manitobans don’t need the government playing grocer, they need lower taxes so they can afford to fill their carts.”

The government’s report highlights that “Grocery retail requires specialized expertise in procurement, inventory management, logistics, food safety, and workforce management.”