Bill 224: Increasing Grocer Competition Act

This bill primarily affects commercial landlords, shopping centre and strip mall owners, and grocery retailers operating in Nova Scotia. Large grocery chains that have historically used exclusivity clauses to lock competitors out of nearby retail spaces will lose that protection entirely. Property owners who sold land with restrictive covenants barring grocery or food retail use will find those covenants unenforceable, potentially opening their former properties to direct competitors — with no right to compensation. New or expanding grocery operators, including smaller independent grocers and convenience stores carrying fresh produce, will find it easier to secure retail space in previously restricted locations.