The Competition Tribunal has ruled in favour of the Commissioner of Competition in its abuse of dominance case against the Toronto Real Estate Board. The Bureau filed an application with the Tribunal seeking to prohibit TREB’s rules that restrict how its member agents provide information to consumers, such as previous listings and previous sale prices, thereby … Read more
The Competition Bureau announced that it is closing its investigation into a number of allegations of anti-competitive conduct by Google. These allegations related to Google’s online search, search advertising and display advertising services in Canada. Details of the investigation are available on the bureau’s website in a comprehensive position statement in line with the bureau’s core values … Read more
Showa Corporation (Showa), a Japanese manufacturer and supplier of automobile components, has pleaded guilty to one count of bid‑rigging for participating in an international conspiracy and was fined $13 million by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. This is the second largest fine ever ordered by a court in Canada for a bid‑rigging offence. To reduce the … Read more
For the third edition of Anti-Cartel Day, the Competition Bureau of Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, invited its partners to take part in a panel discussion on cartels. The goal of the discussion is to explain that cartels exist in Canada—and not just concerning illicit drugs. “Cartels not only cheat businesses … Read more
The Competition Bureau published a report highlighting key insights gleaned from a workshop it held in January 2016 to examine how competition policy, enforcement and government regulation can keep pace with innovation. The workshop brought together more than 120 leading thinkers and key participants from the academic, legal, business and public sectors, who shared insights … Read more
Chalifoux Sani Laurentides Inc. has pleaded guilty in the Quebec Superior Court in Montreal and has been fined $118,000 for its participation in a bid‑rigging scheme to obtain municipal contracts for specialized sewer services in Quebec. The charges against owner Michel Chalifoux were stayed. To date, five companies and one individual have pleaded guilty for their participation … Read more
The Competition Bureau confirmed that it has decided not to challenge the proposed acquisition of WIND Mobile by Shaw Communications. The Bureau issued a No Action Letter saying that it will not challenge the proposed transaction before the Competition Tribunal under the merger provisions of the Competition Act. The Bureau’s review concluded that Shaw’s proposed … Read more
The Competition Bureau welcomed a ruling that allows it to proceed with its case against Direct Energy Marketing Limited (Direct Energy) for water heater return policies and procedures that were aimed at preventing consumers from switching to competitors. The Competition Tribunal ruling means that it will hear the action against Direct Energy alleging that many Ontario-based … Read more
Commissioner of Competition John Pecman issued a statement marking Anti-cartel Day, March 26: “Cartels are corrosive to a healthy marketplace,” he said. “Anti-cartel Day is a way for us to raise awareness as to the devastating effects of anti-competitive conduct but also to highlight the benefits of compliance for companies and the individuals managing them.” The Competition … Read more
The Competition Bureau of Canada announced it will not challenge Postmedia’s proposed acquisition of Sun Media’s English-language media assets, including print newspapers and digital properties. John Pecman, commissioner of Competition, said that after a five-month consultation and review of the proposal, “our review concluded that there would not be significant anti-competitive effects for readers or advertisers arising … Read more
