How Should Canada Enforce Rules Against Anti-Competitive Business Practices?

Official title: Public consultation on new anti-competitive conduct and agreements guidelines

Open Regulations & Permits Economy & Jobs Justice & Rights
The Competition Bureau wants feedback on new guidelines for enforcing rules against anti-competitive business practices. These guidelines explain how the Bureau will handle things like price-fixing, exclusive dealing, and companies abusing their market power. The rules were updated significantly between 2022 and 2025, so the Bureau is consolidating its guidance into one comprehensive document.

Why This Matters

Ever wonder why some products cost more in Canada than elsewhere? Or why certain industries seem dominated by just a few big players? These guidelines shape how the government stops companies from squashing competition. That affects the prices you pay, the choices you have, and whether small businesses can compete fairly.

What Could Change

The new guidelines will determine how the Competition Bureau investigates and penalizes anti-competitive behaviour. They cover practices like exclusive dealing, price maintenance, below-cost pricing, and self-preferencing by dominant companies. Businesses will need to follow these guidelines to stay compliant with the Competition Act.

Key Issues

  • How should the Bureau assess market power and anti-competitive effects?
  • Are the guidelines clear enough for businesses to understand compliance requirements?
  • How should the Bureau handle practices like exclusive dealing, self-preferencing, and below-cost pricing?

How to Participate

  1. Review the Anti-Competitive Conduct and Agreements Enforcement Guidelines to understand the proposed approach.
  2. Email your feedback to cb.accaconsultation-bc.consultationcaac@cb-bc.gc.ca by the deadline. Note that submissions will be published unless you request confidentiality.

Submit Your Input

Draft Email

Key Documents