Many downtown Winnipeg convenience stores are charging more for milk than what is allowed under provincial law.

Maximum prices for 1L milk
Type of milkMaximum price
Homogenized

$1.67

2% milk

$1.60

1% milk

$1.54

Skim

$1.50

(Source: Retail Milk Prices Order, Milk Prices Review Act. Prices are effective Nov. 1, 2012.)

Of a dozen convenience stores CBC News has contacted, many were selling one-litre cartons of milk above the maximum price that can be charged under regulations set out in the Milk Prices Review Act.

According to the regulations, the maximum prices that retailers can charge for one-litre cartons range from $1.50 for skim milk to $1.67 for homogenized milk.

But a look at milk prices at the downtown stores showed a 60-cent discrepancy in prices, going as high as $2.09 for a one-litre carton of homogenized milk.

However, one store on Ellice Avenue sold its milk below the maximum price.

The owners of several stores CBC News spoke with indicated that they did not know about legislation surrounding milk prices.

They added that if they were to lower their prices, it would reduce the already small profit they make.

Law only covers 1L cartons

However, the Milk Prices Review Commission makes it clear: there is a law, at least on the prices of one-litre containers of milk.

"There's a regulation on the maximum price of one-litre containers. The two-litres and four-litre containers are OK; they can charge what they want for those," said Randy Ozunko, the commission's chairman.

"So we explain to them that they either have to charge the price under the regulation, or remove the one-litre containers from the shelves."

No fines related to milk prices have been issued in years, according to the commission. Ozunko said customers should come forward if they have complaints.

Since the law only covers one-litre cartons, many retailers make their money on larger containers of milk — much to the chagrin of Winnipeg Harvest, which argues that higher milk prices can hurt families in need.

"We're worried about throwing away pennies and stuff. Families in this city are worried about saving pennies," said David Northcott, the food bank's executive director.

The Milk Prices Review Commission says another review of the legislation will be held in February.