Competition Bureau Seeks Further Order Against Universal Payphone Systems Inc.

OTTAWA, November 26, 1999 — The Competition Bureau announced today that the Commissioner of Competition has filed a further Application with the Competition Tribunal relating to the marketing practices of Universal Payphone Systems Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario.

The Tribunal previously issued an interim order on September 24, 1999 requiring Universal to temporarily refrain from engaging in certain practices in the marketing of its pay telephone business opportunity. The new application filed by the Commissioner of Competition seeks to obtain an order prohibiting Universal from engaging in certain reviewable conduct for a period of 10 years. The Competition Act also provides that the Tribunal may order a party to publish an information notice and/or to pay an administrative monetary penalty if the party is found to have been engaged in making misleading representations to the public and has failed to exercise due diligence to prevent the deception from occurring.

Universal is engaged in the sale and promotion of a business opportunity to set up individual payphone businesses. Universal promotes its business through the use of radio, television and print advertising on a national basis.

For further information, please contact:
Julie Hébert
819-953-4257