Competition Bureau

Dominion Lending Centres Inc. Responds to Competition Bureau Inquiry

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Competition, TSX, Competition Bureau, Federal court, Record, Federal Court of Canada, DLC, Private investigator, Bureau

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dominion Lending Centres Inc. (TSX:DLCG) (“DLCG” or the “Corporation”) acknowledges receipt of a court order to produce certain documents, records and data in connection with an inquiry by the Competition Bureau.

Key Points: 
  • VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dominion Lending Centres Inc. (TSX:DLCG) (“DLCG” or the “Corporation”) acknowledges receipt of a court order to produce certain documents, records and data in connection with an inquiry by the Competition Bureau.
  • DLC competes with many other franchisors and providers of technology solutions and support services to mortgage brokers in Canada.
  • DLC does not believe it is dominant in any market and does not believe it has engaged in any anti-competitive conduct.
  • As noted by the Bureau, they are conducting an investigation and they have not reached any conclusions at this time.”

Competition Bureau provides recommendations to improve competition in the cannabis industry

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 26, 2023
Cannabis Act, QC, Public, British Columbia Basic Income Expert Panel Report, Policy, Competition Bureau, Public policy, Health, THC, Health Canada, Safety, Medical device, Drug, Bureau

The Bureau believes that stronger competition in the cannabis industry would help foster innovation and benefit consumers by providing them with increased choice and quality.

Key Points: 
  • The Bureau believes that stronger competition in the cannabis industry would help foster innovation and benefit consumers by providing them with increased choice and quality.
  • Importantly, these benefits would serve to further displace illicit market activity and bolster the legal cannabis industry.
  • After a review of competition in the Canadian cannabis industry, the Bureau makes the following three evidence-based recommendations to promote a more competitive legal industry:
    Review the cannabis licensing process and related regulatory compliance costs to ensure policies are minimally intrusive to competition, where possible.
  • The Bureau recognizes that these recommendations must be carefully balanced with other important public policy goals, including public health and safety.

Competition Bureau obtains court order to advance an investigation of Dominion Lending Centres

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 19, 2023
Bureau, Competition Act, Advertising, Competition Bureau, Federal court, Record, Federal Court of Canada, QC, Marketing, DLC, Private investigator, Real estate

GATINEAU, QC, May 19, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to advance a civil investigation into alleged anti-competitive conduct by Dominion Lending Centres Inc. (DLC).

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, May 19, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to advance a civil investigation into alleged anti-competitive conduct by Dominion Lending Centres Inc. (DLC).
  • The Bureau requires more information to determine if the alleged conduct is harming competition in Canada's mortgage brokerage industry.
  • This includes examining certain practices that limit mortgage brokers' ability to use the technology solutions of their choice.
  • The order, granted by the Federal Court of Canada on May 16, 2023, requires DLC to produce records and written information that are relevant to the Bureau's investigation.

Cineplex Responds to Meritless Competition Bureau News Release and Legal Action

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 19, 2023
TSX, Competition Bureau, Letter, Competition, Tribunal, News, Cineplex, Online shopping, Bureau

Our online booking fee is not misleading and fully complies with the spirit and letter of the law.

Key Points: 
  • Our online booking fee is not misleading and fully complies with the spirit and letter of the law.
  • We have been working with the Bureau, since late 2022, in an open and transparent manner.
  • Our online booking fee is entirely optional and provides the convenience of advance seat selection.
  • Unlike other ticketed venues where such fees may exist, Cineplex's guests can buy their tickets at their local theatre without paying this modest fee.

Competition Bureau sues Cineplex for allegedly advertising misleading ticket prices

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Government, Competition, Competition Tribunal, Competition Bureau, The Competition Act, 2002, QC, Online shopping, Bureau, Cineplex

GATINEAU, QC, May 18, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau is taking legal action against Cineplex for advertising movie tickets at a lower price than what many consumers actually have to pay.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, May 18, 2023 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau is taking legal action against Cineplex for advertising movie tickets at a lower price than what many consumers actually have to pay.
  • The Bureau alleges that Cineplex is breaking the law by adding an additional fee that raises the price of its tickets purchased online.
  • A Bureau investigation found that many consumers cannot buy tickets on Cineplex's website or mobile app at advertised prices because it adds a mandatory $1.50 online booking fee to the price of a ticket.
  • We're taking action against Cineplex because misleading tactics like drip pricing only serve to deceive and harm consumers.

CRTC Chair and CEO Vicky Eatrides to open 2023 Canadian ISP Summit

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
C-26, Telecommunications, Toronto Eaton Centre, General counsel, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Natural Resources Canada, JW Marriott Downtown Houston, Competition, Economic development, Competitive Network Operators of Canada, Competition Bureau, CRTC, White, Science

TORONTO, May 17, 2023 /CNW/ - The Canadian ISP Summit, the premier conference for internet service providers in Canada, is pleased to announce its 2023 keynote speaker: CRTC Chair Vicky Eatrides.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, May 17, 2023 /CNW/ - The Canadian ISP Summit, the premier conference for internet service providers in Canada, is pleased to announce its 2023 keynote speaker: CRTC Chair Vicky Eatrides.
  • The 2023 Canadian ISP Summit will be held at the Marriott Downtown at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre on October 24-25, 2023.
  • Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Chair Vicky Eatrides was appointed in 2023 and has quickly started to tackle the challenges of modernizing Canada's telecommunications framework.
  • Registration for the 2023 Canadian ISP Summit is now open.

30 Months in jail and $1.28 million in restitution ordered in online business directories case

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 28, 2023
Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, Partnership, Justice, Crime, Competition Act, Marketing, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Bureau, Law enforcement, Criminal code, Toronto, United States Postal Inspection Service, Competition, Ontario Provincial Police, Directory, Competition Bureau, The Criminal Code, Letter, Toronto Police Service

Terry Croteau was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.28M in restitution for defrauding Canadian businesses in an online directory scam.

Key Points: 
  • Terry Croteau was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.28M in restitution for defrauding Canadian businesses in an online directory scam.
  • The judge also issued an order prohibiting him from being involved in telemarketing or marketing by mail.
  • Mr. Croteau was also sentenced under the deceptive telemarketing provisions of the Competition Act for making misleading statements to promote his business directories.
  • The Bureau examined his use of deceptive telemarketing and false or misleading statements to get Canadian businesses to sign up for listings in online directories.

Minister Champagne's merger approval ignores unlawful Rogers-Vidéotron agreements

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 31, 2023
Freedom, TekSavvy, Bell, Vidéotron, Innovation, Shaw, Competition, Sale, Telus, Freedom Mobile, Acquisition, Competition Bureau, CRTC, Cogeco, House, Engagement, Airline, Murphy v Media Protection Services Limited, Quebecor, Altima, Primus

Just last week, the CRTC opened its investigation into anticompetitive wholesale agreements at the centre of the merger.

Key Points: 
  • Just last week, the CRTC opened its investigation into anticompetitive wholesale agreements at the centre of the merger.
  • "The Minister approved this anticompetitive merger despite the CRTC's ongoing investigation," said Peter Nowak, TekSavvy's Vice-President of Insight and Engagement.
  • TekSavvy has long said federal approval for the merger must be contingent upon first enacting the CRTC's 2019 decision to lower regulated wholesale rates.
  • TekSavvy hopes that the CRTC's investigation into Rogers' and Videotron's unlawful wholesale agreements results in meaningful action and stops the further dismantling of competition in the telecom market.

Statement - Statement from Minister Champagne concerning competition in the telecommunication sector

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 31, 2023
MVNO, Telecommunications, Federal Court of Appeal, Federal court, Competition Tribunal, Shaw, Competition, Freedom Mobile, Government, Domestic, Acquisition, Investment, Internet access, Competition Bureau, Mobile virtual network operator, Retail, Property management, Video game, Mobile telephony, Science, Vidéotron, Western Canada

At the time, I also outlined my expectations for the separate proposed transfer of Freedom Mobile's spectrum licences to Videotron.

Key Points: 
  • At the time, I also outlined my expectations for the separate proposed transfer of Freedom Mobile's spectrum licences to Videotron.
  • "Since then, the Competition Bureau, the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal have all weighed in on the potential competitiveness a fourth national player could have on our telecom industry.
  • "Under these conditions, Videotron's acquisition of Freedom Mobile's licences will improve affordability, competition, and innovation in the telecommunications sector.
  • We will continue to ensure the industry meets these standards, including improving competition, reliability and affordability."

Here's how the Rogers-Shaw merger could benefit Canadian customers

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Freedom, Technology, Internet, Federal Court of Appeal, Federal court, Vidéotron, Government, Freedom Mobile, Industry, Income, First Nations, Competition Bureau, Airline, Video game, Oil

When the merger was first announced by Rogers in 2021, it stirred up a significant amount of competition concern.

Key Points: 
  • When the merger was first announced by Rogers in 2021, it stirred up a significant amount of competition concern.
  • The Canadian Competition Bureau was worried the merger would soften competition in the telecom industry, resulting in higher prices and lower service quality for customers.
  • According to Rogers, the financial benefit of the merger will be around $1 billion annually.
  • But in the long run, this deal could ultimately lead to increased innovation, which in turn, would benefit consumers as well.