WHEREAS the Commissioner is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the
Competition Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-34 (the "Act"), and has commenced an Inquiry pursuant to s. 10
of the Act in regard to cigarettes and other tobacco products ("Tobacco Products") for sale to the
public, described as "light" and "mild" and variants thereof, such as, but not limited to, "extra light",
"ultra light", "extra mild" and "ultra mild" ("L/M Descriptors") in Canada;
AND WHEREAS WSDI is engaged in Canada in the manufacture and/or distribution of Tobacco
Products bearing L/M Descriptors;
THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
1.1 The provisions of this Agreement are subject to the definitions set forth in Appendix "A."
1.2 Nothing in this Agreement is intended to modify WSDI's obligations under the Tobacco Act.
2.1 As of December 31, 2007, WSDI will cease using L/M Descriptors on it's Tobacco Products
and packaging. A list of WSDI's Brand Names covered by this Agreement are contained in
Appendix "B".
3.1 Any Tobacco Products bearing L/M Descriptors may be sold or distributed in Canada by
WSDI, provided they were manufactured and packaged prior to December 31, 2007.
4.1 The Commissioner shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain from other manufacturers
and/or distributors in Canada of Tobacco Products, comparable commitments to
discontinue their use of L/M Descriptors not later than December, 2007.
5.1 This Agreement is entered into without any admission of liability on the part of WSDI,
and it does not constitute a finding of fact or law on any issue as against WSDI.
5.2 This Agreement is entered into by WSDI solely for the purpose of voluntarily
cooperating with a request by the Commissioner to discontinue the use of L/M
Descriptors and in anticipation of regulatory changes under the Tobacco Act.
5.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
5.4 This Agreement may be executed in counterpart and by facsimile and each such
counterpart shall constitute an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same instrument, dated as of the date set forth below.
6.1 If WSDI believes that some modification of this Agreement is justified due to changed
circumstances, WSDI and the Commissioner agree to engage in good faith efforts to
resolve the matter.
6.2 In the event of any dispute between the Parties as to the interpretation or application of
this Agreement, including a dispute as to whether there has been a default in the
performance of any of the obligations in this Agreement, the Parties agree to first engage
in good faith efforts to resolve such dispute, before taking any other steps to resolve the
dispute. In the event that WSDI does not cease use of the L/M descriptors in accordance
with clause 2.1 of this Agreement, the Commissioner may deliver a notice of default to
WSDI. WSDI shall have 30 days to remedy any default. If the default has not been
remedied during such 30 day period the Commissioner may, following the expiry of the
30 day period, file this Agreement with the Competition Tribunal for registration as a
Consent Agreement between the Commissioner and WSDI, pursuant to s.74.12 of the
Act. WSDI irrevocably consents to the registration of this Agreement as a Consent
Agreement in such case and to the filing of the signed consent form which is attached as
Appendix "C."
7.1 This Agreement shall remain in force from the date of its signing until such time as
regulations pursuant to the Tobacco Act come into force prohibiting the use of L/M
Descriptors in regard to Tobacco Products, and/or their packaging, whereupon this
Agreement will terminate automatically.
8.1 Any notice required to be given pursuant to any terms of this Agreement is valid if given
by facsimile transmission or registered mail to:
Telephone: 819-997-5300
Facsimile: 819-953-5013
With copies to:
Jim Marshall
Senior Counsel
Competition Law Division
Justice Canada
Place du Portage, Phase I,
50 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec KIA 0C9
Telephone: 819-997-2834
Facsimile: 819-953-9267
Telephone: 306-384-5556
Facsimile: 306-384-5552
Dated at Gatineau, Quebec, this 25th day of April, 2007
_____________________________________
Sheridan Scott
Commissioner of Competition
Dated at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, this 13th day of April, 2007.
_____________________________________
Peter Dorion
Executive Director
Walking Smoke Distribution Inc.
Appendix "A"
Definitions
In accordance with Clause 1.1 of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:
A. "Agreement" means this Agreement as entered into by WSDI and the Commissioner;
B. "Brand Name" means word(s) used by WSDI to identify its products to consumers and
includes, but is not limited to, trademark names of cigarettes and any words forming part of
C. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Competition, appointed pursuant to section 7
of the Act, and authorized representatives of the Commissioner;
D. "L/M Descriptors" means the words "light" and "mild", and combinations and variants
thereof such as, but not limited to, "extra light," "ultra light," "extra mild" and "ultra mild"
as descriptors on cigarette packages or elsewhere;
E. "Parties" means the Commissioner and WSDI;
F. "Tobacco Products" means cigarettes, tobacco sticks and fine cut tobacco currently
distributed by WSDI;
G. "WSDI" means Walking Smoke Distribution Inc., a company incorporated under the laws
of Canada;
Appendix "B"
WSDI Brand Names
In accordance with Clause 2.1 of this Agreement, the following WSDI Brand Names are covered by this Agreement:
Cigarette Products
Pihtwātān Light
Appendix "C"
Consent Form
To: The Competition Tribunal
1. The Commissioner of Competition and Walking Smoke Distribution Inc. ("WSDI") consent
to the filing of an Agreement dated ; April 13th, 2007, with the Competition Tribunal
for immediate registration as a consent agreement between the Commissioner of Competition
and WSDI pursuant to s. 74.12 of the Competition Act.
2. The name and address of the persons in respect of whom the consent agreement is made are:
Commissioner of Competition
50 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
KIA 0C9
Walking Smoke Distribution Inc.
Asimakaniseekan Askiy Reserve # 102A
# 122-335 Packam Avenue
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7N 4S1
Per:____________________________
Shehdan Scott
Commissioner of Competition
Per:____________________________
Peter Dorion
Executive Director
Walking Smoke Distribution Inc.