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Calgary Co-op is suing Saskatoon-based Federated Co-operatives Ltd. (FCL) over what it says is the supplier’s “oppressive conduct” in the aftermath of the retailer’s decision to switch to a private wholesaler for grocery purchases.

In a statement of claim filed Feb. 10 in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, Calgary Co-op — one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America — says it has suffered financially as a result of what it alleges was a “retaliatory response” by FCL to the loss of its largest grocery contract.

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The suit alleges that FCL — which is collectively owned by more than 170 independent retail co-operatives across Western Canada, including Calgary Co-op — aimed to deprive Calgary Co-op of patronage returns it would otherwise be owed in the wake of the retailer’s decision last August to move its grocery business to the distribution arm of B.C.-based Save-On-Foods. (Calgary Co-op will continue to source its fuel purchases from FCL.)