A PYMNTS Company

Canada: Government sharpens Competition Bureau’s teeth

By  |  December 9, 2014

The Canadian Competition Bureau is set to receive new legal powers aimed at reducing the price gap between products sold within the US and Canada, say reports.

Industry Minister James Moore announced Tuesday details of the new legislation. The bill proposes the Bureau have the ability to pressure companies to cut prices of items sold in Canada that are sold at lower costs in the US.

Reports say the new rules would also give competition authorities the power to compel corporations to hand over confidential agreements made between Canadian distributors and international suppliers. Officials say this transparency will help assess whether certain price discrepancies between the US and Canada are warranted.

Reports note that the legislation does not make clear what action the Bureau can take if it discovers unwarranted cross-boarder price gaps.

Full content: The Globe and Mail

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.