06:45 AM EDT, 04/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw ( LBLCF ) and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success, The Canadian Press is reporting Friday, according to a story published on the BNN Bloomberg website.

Documents obtained through access to information legislation shed new light on the federal government's efforts to convince the two retailers to sign the grocery code of conduct, with cracks appearing in the months leading up to a House of Commons meeting where the grocers said they couldn't sign the near-complete code.

"There are ongoing federal efforts to seek commitment from key players, including large retailers like Walmart and Loblaws, to participate in the code," read a briefing note prepared on Sept. 22 for a meeting between federal agriculture and agri-food minister Lawrence MacAulay and Quebec agriculture and food minister Andre Lamontagne.

The document, obtained through the Access to Information Act, says participation by some of the largest retailers -- namely Loblaw ( LBLCF ) and Walmart -- is "still to be determined."

The code of conduct is intended to set out agreed-upon rules for negotiations between industry players, including retailers and suppliers. It would also include a dispute resolution process.

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