Annual Report - Introduction

This report summarizes the work of the Competition Bureau for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001, under the four Acts the Bureau administers:

• the Competition Act
• the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (non-food products)
• the Precious Metals Marking Act
• the Textile Labelling Act.

The Competition Bureau works to create an environment in which Canadians can enjoy the benefits of lower prices, product choice and quality services in a vibrant, healthy and competitive marketplace. It does this by promoting and maintaining competition in the Canadian market.

This report discusses the Bureau's activities over the past year and how its work benefits Canadians. For statistical data and legal references, please visit the Bureau's Web site (http://www.cb-bc.gc.ca ).

The report groups the Bureau's activities as follows:

• interacting with Canadians
• promoting competition
• reviewing mergers
• preventing anti-competitive activity
• maintaining a modern approach to competition law.

Approach: Conformity Continuum

The Bureau's approach to enforcing and administering the legislation for which it is responsible continues to evolve in a rapidly changing global economy. The Conformity Continuum provides a framework for a comprehensive, balanced approach to enforcement and administration, given the Bureau's various priorities.

The Conformity Continuum integrates the various education, compliance and enforcement instruments that the Bureau has developed over several years. The instruments complement one another and work interdependently to promote maximum conformity with the law.

With this approach, the Bureau selects the instrument best able to address the concerns raised by a specific situation. Education efforts are undertaken to ensure that the business community knows about competition legislation and understands how it is enforced. The Bureau facilitates conformity using compliance instruments such as pre-merger notification, targeted inspections and consultations, as well as voluntary codes, advisory opinions and corporate compliance programs.

The Bureau responds to instances of non-conformity with alternative case resolution in the form of suasion and consent. The use of the Conformity Continuum does not imply that the Bureau is lenient with those who engage in serious anti-competitive conduct. When there is evidence of serious violations of the criminal provisions of one of the four Acts, the Bureau refers cases to the Attorney General of Canada and recommends that he or she prosecute with the full force of the law. In civil matters, when solutions cannot be worked out by consent orders or other means, the Bureau does not hesitate to apply to the Competition Tribunal for a remedial order.

The Bureau's Conformity Continuum Information Bulletin describes the Commissioner's general approach to administering and enforcing legislation. The bulletin is available on the Bureau's Web site (http://www.cb-bc.gc.ca) under Publications.