Grocery store closures loom amid labour, product shortages

Grocery stores are struggling with rising labour and product shortages that experts warn could threaten Canada's food security.

Gary Sands, senior vice-president of public policy with the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, says employee absenteeism due to COVID-19 protocols has hit about 30 per cent across Canada, and rising.

Without access to rapid testing in many provinces, he says workers are repeatedly forced to isolate for a week or more after an exposure to COVID-19. Sands says if the situation worsens, some grocery stores won't be able to open, threatening food security in rural and remote areas of the country that rely on a sole independent grocer.

Meanwhile, stores are also experiencing a shortage of goods stemming from supply chain issues, including a shortage of truckers, packaging and processing delays and wintry weather.

Retail Council of Canada spokesperson Michelle Wasylyshen says grocers rely on ``just in time'' delivery, meaning even transient issues like inclement weather can cause delays and shortages.