The federal industry minister says he has begun calling the heads of foreign companies to promote investing in Canada, a move aimed at creating more competition and driving down prices — including in the grocery sector.

In an interview with Mercedes Stephenson that aired Sunday on The West Block, Francois-Philippe Champagne was asked if he was “open to allowing foreign firms… to come into Canada, whether it’s grocery, telecom or airlines, to reduce some of these prices and create competition.” The minister replied he was trying to get that to happen.

“It’s interesting you ask me as you almost read my mind,” he said. “I’ve been talking to some in the grocery sector — let me be specific — I’m starting to make calls to some CEOs around the world and say, ‘Hey, have you looked at Canada lately?’

“For the long term, this is what is really going to help. And we’ve seen it in other sectors and we have examples in other countries. So, yes, I’m doing that. And it’s part of the number of things that I’m trying to do.”