Nova Scotia Snow Crab

The Competition Bureau commenced an inquiry into allegations that a number of seafood processors in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia conspired to fix the shore price paid to fishermen for snow crab caught in Nova Scotia during the 2001 fishing season. Under the conspiracy provision, section 45, of the Competition Act in order for there to be an offence, the evidence must establish:

• that there was an agreement between the parties to the conspiracy;
• and that the agreement, if implemented, would lessen competition unduly.

The Bureau found that had the seafood processors agreed to fix the price paid for snow crab, they did not possess sufficient control over the market to unduly lessen competition.

The inquiry was discontinued on October 10, 2003.

(107419)