The Competition Bureau sent letters to close to 100 brands and marketing agencies involved in influencer marketing in Canada, advising that they review their marketing practices to ensure they comply with the law. Influencers should clearly disclose the relationships they have with the business, product or service they promote. There is a relationship if the influencer … Read more
Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell has appointed Stéphane Lamoureux to the position of Senior Deputy Commissioner, Cartels and Deceptive Marketing Practices. Lamoureux has held senior positions in legal services for a variety of Government of Canada departments. He is a member of the Barreau du Québec and obtained his law degree from the University of Montreal. … Read more
Canadians could save substantially on their wireless bills if Bell, Rogers and Telus were faced with more competition from regional carriers like Freedom Mobile and Videotron. This information is part of a submission made to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in its review of mobile wireless services. In regions with wireless disruptors, prices can … Read more
Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition, issued the following statement with respect to the Competition Tribunal’s recent decision to dismiss an application against the Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA): “Following a careful review of the Tribunal’s decision, we have decided not to pursue an appeal in this matter. Although the Tribunal dismissed our application, the ruling provides … Read more
The Competition Bureau hosted an annual trilateral meeting with the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Mexico’s Federal Economic Competition Commission. Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell and his counterparts discussed recent cases, as well as their ongoing priorities – with a focus on competition law enforcement and advocacy in the digital … Read more
The Competition Bureau took action to protect consumers from false or misleading representations that result in hidden fees being charged for flights, while it continues its investigation into the marketing practices of FlightHub Group Inc. The bureau entered into a temporary consent agreement with FlightHub that prohibits it from using false or misleading marketing practices … Read more
The Competition Tribunal issued a decision dismissing the Commissioner of Competition’s application against the Vancouver Airport Authority. In September 2016, the bureau filed its application with the Tribunal seeking to prohibit airport authority from imposing restrictions that decrease competition among in-flight catering companies at Vancouver International Airport. The Bureau’s application sought an order against the authority requiring … Read more
The Competition Bureau has discontinued its investigation into Enercare Inc.’s water heater rental contracts and return practices. The bureau has issued a position statement summarizing this investigation and the reasons for its discontinuance. The evidence gathered by the bureau does not clearly demonstrate that Enercare’s rental contracts substantially lessen or prevent competition, which is one of the Competition Act’s requirements … Read more
The Competition Bureau recently expanded the role of its Merger Notification Unit, now referred to as the Merger Intelligence and Notification Unit, to include a broader focus on active intelligence gathering on non-notifiable merger transactions that may raise competition concerns. The notification provisions of the Competition Act, facilitate the detection of most potentially anti-competitive transactions. This intelligence gathering approach … Read more
The Competition Bureau has published a call-out for information from Canada’s business community about conduct in the digital economy that may be harmful to competition. The Bureau is seeking information from businesses and other interested parties regarding certain strategies that firms may use to hinder competition in certain core digital markets, such as online search, social media, display … Read more
