WINNIPEG -- The Manitoba government says it's encouraged by Sobeys' move to stop enforcing property controls but wants the grocery giant to go further.
Mintu Sandhu, the minister of public service delivery, says Sobeys' parent company, Empire Co., should remove all so-called restrictive covenants in the province.
Grocers and other retailers have used such covenants to prevent rivals from opening close to their stores.
Sandhu says if Sobeys doesn't remove its 43 property controls registered in Manitoba, the government would continue challenging them with the municipal board.
The government took four contracts held by Sobeys to the board earlier this year, after passing a law prohibiting grocers from using restrictive covenants in land sales.
The province argues that the measures are used to curb competition and lead to high grocery prices.
Empire's policy shift comes as the Competition Bureau broadened its probe into Empire for using property controls countrywide through a Federal Court order in June.?
Sobeys announced Tuesday it will no longer use or enforce restrictive covenants in Manitoba and on properties identified in the court order.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2026.