August 17, 2025
On August 14, 2025, Canada’s federal Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced that it had issued new guidance for companies and others to develop competition law compliance programs (see: “Develop a compliance program for your business in 10 easy steps!”).
In general, the Bureau has published on its Compliance Bootcamp web page videos describing competition law compliance programs, its recommended ten steps to develop a credible and effective compliance program and recommendations to comply with many of the core criminal and civil provisions of the Competition Act including abuse of dominance (sections 78 and 79), bid-rigging (section 47), deceptive marketing (under Parts VI and VII.1), exclusive dealing / tied selling / market restriction (section 77), mergers (Parts VIII and IX), price-fixing (section 45), refusal to deal (section 75), price maintenance (section 76) and wage-fixing and no-poaching agreements (section 45(1.1)).
June 30, 2025
On May 5, 2025 and June 2, 2025, Canada’s Competition Bureau (“Bureau”) announced that it was suing Canada’s Wonderland Company (“Wonderland”) and Door Dash Inc. and its subsidiary DoorDash Technologies Canada Inc. (“DoorDash”) for allegedly engaging in drip pricing in violation of the civil deceptive marketing practices provisions of the Competition Act (under Part VII.1) (see: Competition Bureau sues Canada’s Wonderland for allegedly advertising misleading prices and Competition Bureau sues DoorDash for allegedly advertising misleading prices and discounts).
In making its announcement against Wonderland, the Bureau stated:
“The Competition Bureau is taking legal action against Canada’s Wonderland Company for advertising park tickets and a variety of other items at a lower price than what consumers actually have to pay online. The Bureau alleges that Wonderland is advertising prices that do not include a mandatory fixed fee of $0.99, $6.99, $8.99, or $9.99.
Canada’s Wonderland charges a processing fee for online purchases involving park admission, starting at $6.99 and increasing to $8.99 or $9.99 depending on the number of items purchased. For most purchases of non-admission-related products, a single $0.99 processing fee applies, regardless of the number of items.
The Bureau alleges that Wonderland has made, and continues to make, false or misleading price claims by advertising lower prices than what consumers ultimately have to pay as those prices exclude mandatory fixed fees. This practice, commonly known as drip pricing, is deceptive because consumers are not presented with an attainable price upfront.”
June 26, 2025
On June 25, 2025, Canada’s Competition Bureau issued a News Release warning landlords and property managers not to engage in criminal conspiracy agreements under the federal Competition Act (see: Landlords and property managers: agreeing with competitors on rental prices is illegal).
In making the announcement, the Competition Bureau said:
“The Competition Bureau is aware that some landlords and property managers may be engaging with their competitors, including through discussion groups on social media.
While some discussions between competitors may be justified, others could be illegal. Landlords and property managers must understand the difference between conversations that are harmless and conversations that they should steer clear from.
Agreements between landlords to ‘make the most of the booming rental housing market’ or ‘find ways to ensure that all players benefit from the strong demand equally’ raise concerns under the law and could be illegal.”
The Competition Bureau cautioned real estate landlords and property managers that it was illegal under the conspiracy provisions of the Competition Act (section 45) to enter into agreements relating to rental prices (including increases or surcharges), the terms of leases (including amenities and services) or restricting the housing supply by artificially reducing the availability of rental units.
Templates/precedents and checklists to run promotional contests in Canada
Templates/precedents and checklists to comply with Canadian anti-spam law (CASL)
