Competition Bureau

Amp Me to pay penalty to address Competition Bureau concerns over misleading advertising

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Competition Tribunal, Negotiation, Competition Bureau, The Competition Act, 2002, Bank statement, Music, QC, Social media, App Store (iOS/iPadOS), Apple, Competition Act, Mobile phone, Property management, Bureau

A Bureau investigation revealed that Amp Me allegedly purchased positive reviews from third parties between 2019 and 2022 to promote its mobile application.

Key Points: 
  • A Bureau investigation revealed that Amp Me allegedly purchased positive reviews from third parties between 2019 and 2022 to promote its mobile application.
  • The Bureau concluded that these reviews created a false or misleading general impression among the public.
  • As part of this settlement, the Bureau considered Amp Me's limited ability to pay a penalty in determining the conditions of the agreement.
  • Amp Me has agreed to the following conditions:
    pay a partial penalty of $310,000 upon signing the agreement, in satisfaction of the imposed penalty of $1,500,000.

Competition Bureau obtains a court order to advance investigation into Rogers' marketing practices

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 4, 2023
Bureau, Record, Competition Bureau, Competition Act, Telecommunications, Comwave, Federal Court of Canada, Marketing, Federal court, Mobile phone, QC

GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 4, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to advance its investigation into certain alleged marketing practices by Rogers Communications Inc. and its subsidiary, Rogers Communications Canada Inc.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 4, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to advance its investigation into certain alleged marketing practices by Rogers Communications Inc. and its subsidiary, Rogers Communications Canada Inc.
  • The order, granted by the Federal Court of Canada requires Rogers and its subsidiary to produce records and information relevant to the Bureau's investigation.
  • The Bureau's investigation involves claims made by Rogers when promoting its Infinite wireless phone plans.
  • The Bureau is looking to determine if Rogers' marketing practices raise concerns under the civil deceptive marketing provisions of the Competition Act.

Competition Bureau reaches agreement to protect real estate competition in the Northwest Territories

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Competition Tribunal, Competition Bureau, Multiple listing service, The Competition Act, 2002, Competition Act, Commissioner, Property management, Real estate, Bureau, QC

GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 29, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau announced today that it has entered into a consent agreement with the Northwest Territories Association of Realtors (NWTAR) to address concerns with its membership practices in the real estate sector.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 29, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau announced today that it has entered into a consent agreement with the Northwest Territories Association of Realtors (NWTAR) to address concerns with its membership practices in the real estate sector.
  • The Bureau concluded that the NWTAR's conduct was contrary to the abuse of dominance provisions of the Competition Act.
  • NWTAR is a trade association that represents real estate agents and salespeople in the Northwest Territories.
  • A consent agreement has the force and effect of a court order once it is registered with the Competition Tribunal.

TicketNetwork to pay $825,000 penalty to settle misleading advertising concerns in the ticket resale market

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Hertz, Competition Tribunal, Competition Bureau, The Competition Act, 2002, Competition, URL, Avis Budget Group, StubHub, Marketing, Advertising, TicketNetwork, Ticketmaster, Sport, Car rental, Sales, Online shopping, Bureau, QC

A Bureau investigation concluded that TicketNetwork advertised tickets at unattainable prices, a practice known as drip pricing.

Key Points: 
  • A Bureau investigation concluded that TicketNetwork advertised tickets at unattainable prices, a practice known as drip pricing.
  • The Bureau found that the mandatory fees added more than 38% on average and, in some cases, over 53% to the advertised prices.
  • Ticket vendors must make true pricing claims, and resellers must stop misrepresenting that they're primary vendors when they're not.
  • Since 2019, the Bureau's successful actions to resolve concerns about misleading advertising in the ticketing industry, including drip pricing, have led to a total of over $6 million in penalties for Ticketmaster , StubHub and TicketNetwork.

Two individuals charged with conspiracy to rig bids for Québec City infrastructure contracts

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
PPSC, Bureau, Competition Bureau, Criminal code, Public, The Criminal Code, Fraud, Consultant, Competition, Court, Construction, QC

GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 14, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau has laid criminal charges before the Court of Québec against Patrice Mathieu and André Côté in connection with an alleged conspiracy to rig bids for Québec City infrastructure contracts.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 14, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau has laid criminal charges before the Court of Québec against Patrice Mathieu and André Côté in connection with an alleged conspiracy to rig bids for Québec City infrastructure contracts.
  • Evidence gathered by the Bureau suggests that the accused participated in a big-rigging scheme between September 1, 2006, and November 19, 2010, in which several individuals employed by consulting engineering firms conspired to divide municipal infrastructure contracts among their firms.
  • Both individuals were charged under the Criminal Code with conspiracy to rig bids, conspiracy to commit fraud, and fraud over $5,000.
  • Rigging bids on infrastructure contracts raises costs for municipalities and reduces available public funds to meet important public needs.

Competition Bureau resolves competition concerns with Global Fuels acquisition of Greenergy's retail fuel business

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Competition Tribunal, Sale, Acquisition, Bureau, Commissioner, Competition Bureau, Mobil, Competition, Retail, Greenergy, QC, Esso

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 26, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau announced today that it has reached an agreement with Global Fuels Inc. and its affiliates (Global Fuels), related to their proposed acquisition of Greenergy's Canadian retail fuel business.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 26, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau announced today that it has reached an agreement with Global Fuels Inc. and its affiliates (Global Fuels), related to their proposed acquisition of Greenergy's Canadian retail fuel business.
  • The Bureau concluded that the proposed transaction would likely substantially lessen competition in the sale of fuel to retail customers in Picton and Chatham, Ontario.
  • To resolve the Bureau's concerns, Global Fuels agreed to assign motor fuel supply agreements in these markets to a buyer (or buyers) to be approved by the Commissioner of Competition.
  • Greenergy is an international supplier and distributor of transportation fuels, with fuel supply businesses in the UK, Ireland, and Canada.

Two individuals charged with conspiracy to rig bids for public road work on Highway 50 in Outaouais

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Public Prosecution Service of Canada, PPSC, Competition Act, Sales, Gatineau, Transports, Court, Bureau, Competition Bureau, Competition, The Criminal Code, Public, Criminal code, Auction, QC

The charges were laid under the bid-rigging provisions of the Competition Act and the conspiracy provisions of the Criminal Code.

Key Points: 
  • The charges were laid under the bid-rigging provisions of the Competition Act and the conspiracy provisions of the Criminal Code.
  • When individuals conspire to rig bids for public contracts, it is taxpayers who pay the price.
  • When the Competition Bureau finds evidence of a criminal offence , it refers the matter to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC).
  • If you believe that you have been a victim of bid-rigging, or if you have information about a bid-rigging scheme, contact the Competition Bureau .

Inter-Cité Construction to pay $150,000 in territory allocation settlement

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 20, 2023
Public Prosecution Service of Canada, The Competition Act, 2002, Receiver General for Canada, Competition Act, Transports, Bureau, Superior Court of Quebec, Competition Bureau, Competition, Public, Superior court, Quebec, Pharmaceutical industry, QC

This payment is part of a settlement reached between the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Inter-Cité, and filed yesterday in the Superior Court of Quebec.

Key Points: 
  • This payment is part of a settlement reached between the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Inter-Cité, and filed yesterday in the Superior Court of Quebec.
  • The settlement stems from an investigation by the Competition Bureau into the company's role in a scheme that targeted public contracts in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region between 2008 and 2010.
  • As part of the settlement, the company has also implemented a corporate compliance program , which is designed to prevent its employees from engaging in other anti-competitive activities.
  • "Agreements between competitors, such as those involving the allocation of markets or territories, drive up the cost of public contracts.

The Dufresne Group to pay $3.25 million penalty to settle Competition Bureau concerns over marketing claims

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
The Competition Act, 2002, Competition Act, Bureau, Appliance, Ashley HomeStore, Sale, Competition Bureau, TDG, Retail, QC

The Bureau also found that they made marketing claims to consumers that gave the false or misleading impression that deals on certain products would no longer be available after a certain time, when this was not the case.

Key Points: 
  • The Bureau also found that they made marketing claims to consumers that gave the false or misleading impression that deals on certain products would no longer be available after a certain time, when this was not the case.
  • For example, the deal was still available after a countdown timer expired.
  • The companies made both types of claims on their websites, in-store and via various advertising channels.
  • All businesses in Canada should review their marketing practices and make sure they comply with the law.

The Competition Bureau lays charges against two executives in a bid-rigging case in Montérégie

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
The Competition Act, 2002, Competition Act, Bureau, Construction, Court of Quebec, Competition, Transports, MTQ, Competition Bureau, Auction, QC

Marcel Roireau and Serge Daunais are charged under the bid-rigging provisions of the Competition Act.

Key Points: 
  • Marcel Roireau and Serge Daunais are charged under the bid-rigging provisions of the Competition Act.
  • The evidence gathered by the Competition Bureau suggests that the accused individuals allegedly participated in an illegal agreement with their competitors to submit cover bids in response to the calls for tenders launched by the MTQ in 2008.
  • The Bureau also has a Whistleblowing Initiative for those who believe they can provide information about a potential violation of the Competition Act.
  • If you suspect someone is engaging in collusive activity or bid-rigging, contact the Competition Bureau immediately to report the offence .