The Competition Bureau received a complaint in February 2004 alleging that an advertisement for a real estate agency was potentially misleading. Specifically, the ad stated that the company "sells more houses in the western part of the province than any other company".

A Bureau examination conducted under the deceptive marketing practices provisions of the Competition Act, section 74.01, revealed that the advertisement in question could have raised concerns under the Act as there were no statistics recorded and maintained for the number of houses sold in that particular area. Therefore, the claim could not be verified.

After discussions with Bureau officials, the company provided written assurance that all advertisements would be corrected in compliance with the Act.

The issue was resolved in March 2004.

(3080143)