Ottawa has formally launched a long-promised consultation on updating Canada’s competition laws, a review that comes against the backdrop of high-profile files including a trial over the Rogers-Shaw merger and a study about high grocery prices.
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced details of the review Thursday, tying the news to efforts by the government to make life more affordable for Canadians.
This is the first substantive review of the Competition Act in more than a decade and the government said the scope will be broad, from examining the very purpose of Canada’s laws, to the role and powers of the Competition Bureau, the arm’s-length law enforcement agency that polices the act.
Related: Canada Looks at Revising Its Competition Act
The review will also consider whether new or stronger criminal and financial penalties are needed as well as whether specific changes to the law are required to address digital and data-driven markets.
Champagne said all interested participants can provide written feedback over the next three months and that his department will also hold a series of roundtable discussions.
“I think this is a great first step and I applaud the government for taking it,” said Keldon Bester, co-founder of the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project (CAMP) and a fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. “But it remains to be seen if both the government and the public can make the most of this opportunity to create a set of laws that truly serves Canadians as opposed to what we have today.”
Featured News
Walmart Withdraws and Refiles Antitrust Review Application for Vizio Acquisition
Mar 28, 2024 by
CPI
Apple Prevails in Dismissal of Crypto-Payment Antitrust Lawsuit
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Amazon Fined in Poland for Misleading Customers
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Credit Card Rewards Under Threat as Visa, Mastercard Settlement Impacts Swipe Fees
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
UK Fashion Giants Commit to Honest Environmental Claims
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Real Estate & Antitrust
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Systematic National Evidence of Steering by Real Estate Agents
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Compliance Now! Actionable Antitrust Advice for the Residential Real Estate Industry
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
Real Estate Commissions: Some Insights from the Economics of Multi-Sided Platforms
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI
New Ideas for Promoting Real Estate Brokerage Price Competition
Mar 27, 2024 by
CPI