
May 5, 2014
Earlier today, the Canadian Competition Bureau issued something a little different – its inaugural “Annual Plan”, which evidently is part of its overall transparency and compliance initiatives.
This short, strategic document includes a few interesting points. These include some current performance and enforcement statistics, including in relation to recent: information requests (8,000+); complaints (4,000+) (I had recalled this figure to have been higher in recent years); Immunity and Leniency Program applications (10 and 11 respectively); search warrants (14); and merger position statements (11).
A few other key points that caught my eye in this new publication include: an effort to increase compliance with the Competition Act generally; some forensic enforcement enhancements (“greater use of evidence-handling software”); an intention to commence at least two further market studies in the near future (current Bureau advocacy efforts are available on its Advocacy Portal); and work to support the Federal Government’s recent announcement to introduce new legislation to address “unjustified cross-border price discrimination” to alleviate consumer concerns of Canada/U.S. price gaps.
********************
SERVICES AND CONTACT
We are a Toronto based competition and advertising law firm offering business and individual clients efficient and strategic advice in relation to competition/antitrust, advertising, Internet and new media law and contest law. We also offer competition and regulatory law compliance, education and policy services to companies, trade and professional associations and government agencies.
Our experience includes advising clients in Toronto, across Canada and the United States on the application of Canadian competition and regulatory laws and we have worked on hundreds of domestic and cross-border competition, advertising and marketing, promotional contest (sweepstakes), conspiracy (cartel), abuse of dominance, compliance, refusal to deal and pricing and distribution matters. For more information about our competition and advertising law services see: competition law services.
To contact us about a potential legal matter, see: contact
For more information about our firm, visit our website: Competitionlawyer.ca