Factsheet | In 2024, Canada's Competition Bureau Put New Powers to Work Protecting Canadians

The Competition Bureau, led by Commissioner Boswell, is beginning to turn the page on Canada’s pro-monopoly past. Empowered by new laws granted with unanimous support from federal MPs, the Bureau is acting to protect competition on several fronts across the Canadian economy. A revitalized Competition Bureau promoting fair, free, and democratic markets means better outcomes for consumers and workers, and that new entrants and entrepreneurs can thrive despite historic levels of economic concentration.

Though this work is just beginning, the list of important enforcement and advocacy activity is growing. As 2024 comes to a close, CAMP has pulled together a list of ongoing competition law and policy action at the federal level. Over the past year the Bureau has: 

Investigated practices that raise the cost of living 

• Launched an investigation into Loblaws and Sobeys, two of Canada’s largest grocers, for their use of property controls that limit where competing grocers can set up shop across the country 

• Launched an investigation into Kalibrate, a firm offering pricing software to gas stations, for possibly facilitating price collusion at the pump 

• Launched an investigation into practices by the Canadian Real Estate Association that may have reduced competition for commissions paid on home purchases 

• Launched an investigation into software conglomerate Dye & Durham for alleged anti-competitive activity in the market for real estate conveyance software 

• Launched an investigation into Broadridge Software for anti-competitive practices in the market for software used by broker-dealers trading financial securities 

Protected consumers from deception 

• Secured a $39 million dollar fine against movie theatre monopoly Cineplex for deceiving customers over the true cost of tickets bought online 

• Advanced an investigation of Amazon’s practices related to reviews and ratings and their influence on how products are displayed on the platform 

• Launched an investigation into furniture companies Leon’s and The Brick for alleged deceptive marketing practices related to their representations of sale prices 

• Secured a $3.3 million dollar fine against SiriusXM Canada for misrepresenting the true price of satellite radio and streaming subscriptions 

Put Big Tech on trial 

• Sued Google for abusing its dominance in online advertising, a $15 billion market that businesses across the country depend on to reach their customers 

Prevented further concentration of the Canadian economy 

• Came out against the proposed merger of agribusiness giants Viterra and Bunge on the grounds that the acquisition would raise costs for Canadian farmers 

• Successfully challenged Secure Energy’s acquisition of Tervita after the firm’s appeal of the Competition Tribunal decision was dismissed by the Supreme Court 

Advocated for more competition in Canada 

• Launched the first market study with new powers to compel information into Canada’s duopoly airline market 

• Advocated for more competition in the banking sector through consumer-driven banking and making it easier for mortgage borrowers to switch banks when refinancing

• Issued draft guidance on property controls indicating a strong stance against restrictions that limit potential competition in markets like grocery and retail 

• Advocated to the Ontario government against preferred provider networks that limit consumer choice when it comes to getting the medication Canadians need 

• Advocated for expanded access to pet medications at pharmacies amid the rising cost of keeping our pets healthy in Canada 

• Advocated for strengthening consumer’s right to repair and for policy makers to treat justifications that limit repairability with skepticism 

Ensured value for money on public contracts 

• Secured a $1.5 million fine and one year of house arrest against a road construction company for bid-rigging public sector contracts in Quebec 

• Secured a 14 month conditional sentence against an engineering executive charged with bid rigging on public sector contracts in Quebec City 

A new era of competition is beginning in Canada, and the Competition Bureau is well-placed to respond to Canada’s monopoly moment. CAMP looks forward to this list of accomplishments growing in 2025 and to holding regulators accountable to protecting Canadians when they need it most.