Annual Report of the Commissioner of Competition for the year ending March 31, 2003

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Organizational Structure of the Competition Bureau

The Bureau employs 298 people in the National Capital Region and 85 in seven field offices. The field offices are located in the Atlantic Region, Quebec Region, Ontario Region, Prairies and Northern Region, and Pacific Region. As the organizational chart below shows, the Bureau comprises seven branches.

• Commissioner of Competition
  • Mergers
  • Criminal Matters
  • Competition Policy
  • Civil Matters
  • Fair Business Practices
  • Compliance and Operations
  • Communications

The Commissioner of Competition is head of the Competition Bureau and is responsible for administering and enforcing the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

Mergers Branch reviews merger transactions to assess whether a proposed merger is likely to prevent or substantially lessen competition.

Civil Matters Branch reviews anti-competitive behaviour, such as abuse of dominant position, and restraints imposed by suppliers on customers, such as refusal to supply, exclusive dealing and tied selling. The Branch is also responsible for the Bureau's interventions before federal and provincial regulatory boards and tribunals.

Criminal Matters Branch reviews criminal offences relating to anti-competitive behaviour. These include conspiracies that have an undue impact on competition, bid rigging, price discrimination, predatory pricing and price maintenance. The Branch carries out its investigations through its National Capital Region office and field offices.

Fair Business Practices Branch administers and enforces the provisions of the Competition Act that cover misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices. Among these are provisions that deal with deceptive telemarketing, multilevel marketing and pyramid selling, as well as misrepresentations, such as general misleading statements, misleading ordinary price claims and promotional contests in which organizers inadequately disclose contest rules. The Branch also administers and enforces the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act, collectively known as the standards-based statutes. The Branch carries out its investigations through its National Capital Region office and field offices.

Competition Policy Branch encompasses the International Affairs, Economic Policy and Enforcement, and Legislative Affairs divisions. The Branch advances the Bureau's interests in international cooperation, negotiations and policy development. It provides economic advice and expertise, as well as enforcement support, to the Bureau, and it ensures that the provisions of the Competition Act and standards-based statutes remain relevant through a continuous amendment process.

Compliance and Operations Branch develops the Bureau's compliance program, enforcement policy, training program and client services. It also manages the Bureau's Information Centre, and planning, resource management, administration and informatics activities.

Communications Branch ensures that Canadian consumers, businesses, other government agencies and the international community appreciate the Bureau's crucial contribution to competition in the marketplace and the growth of the Canadian economy. The Branch manages the Bureau's Web site, stakeholder and media relations, and internal communications.