Canadian Tire to sell groceries

So Canadian Tire is piloting the sale of groceries from their stores.

How anybody would consider buying anything edible from a store that reeks of artificial air fresheners, rubber and chemicals for garden and home is beyond me. An article I read in a newspaper recently (Globe & Mail?) said that the store has moved tires away from the main entrances so that the odour of rubber is more isolated. BS I say! Our huge store in North Vancouver smells like a chemical smorgasbord, with rubber the number one dish.

My husband has a long-time Canadian Tire habit so I have occasionally accompanied him, albeit reluctantly. From the minute my nose enters the store I am aware of breathing what feels to me like “unhealthy” air. He agrees, picks up whatever he is seeking, and we leave the store -wishing we could have held our breaths while inside.

As an aside … some time ago I questioned the health implications for staff who work in stores such as this and those big hardware stores. Does WCB cover the workers for lung-related illnesses caused by proximity to chemicals in an enclosed environment?

So, back to the issue of food … while I am confident there will be some who will only think of the convenience of picking up food while shopping at Canadian Tire, there will be others (like my hubby and I) who will never ever buy anything edible from that type of store. Even if the food is wrapped. In fact, given the heavy air (pollution?) in the store, we won’t be visiting again. Period.