Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau (French: Bureau de la concurrence) is the independent law enforcement agency in charge of regulating competition in Canada, responsible for ensuring that markets operate in a competitive manner.^[1]

This article is about the Canadian agency. For similar agencies in other jurisdictions, see Competition regulator.

Competition Bureau
Bureau de la concurrence

Canada

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Competition Act

Federal law enforcement

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development

Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of competition

Headed by the Commissioner of Competition, the agency is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act, as well as the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (except as it relates to food), Textile Labelling Act, and the Precious Metals Marking Act.^[2]

The Bureau falls within the scope of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and its minister.

Commissioner of Competition[edit]

The Competition Bureau is headed by the Commissioner of Competition.

The current Commissioner of Competition is Matthew Boswell, who was appointed on March 5, 2019, for a five-year term. Boswell previously served as Senior Deputy Commissioner of Competition before being appointed to his current position.^[3]

Under the Competition Act, the Commissioner can launch inquiries, challenge civil and merger matters before the Competition Tribunal, make recommendations on criminal matters to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and intervene as a competition advocate before federal and provincial bodies.

As head of the Competition Bureau, the Commissioner leads the Bureau's participation in international forums such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Competition Network (ICN), to develop and promote coordinated competition laws and policies in an increasingly globalized marketplace.

The Compliance Unit, headed by the Director of Compliance, is in charge of promoting compliance with the 4 relevant acts under the Competition Bureau's purview. It does this by evaluating corporate compliance programs, promoting compliance in the market, and sharing resources with "domestic and international enforcers and regulators."

The Economic Analysis Directorate, headed by an Associate Deputy Commissioner, is in charge of providing "economic analysis and advice to support the Bureau’s enforcement investigations."

The International Affairs Directorate, headed by an Associate Deputy Commissioner, is responsible for fostering "strong relationships with key international partners to advance and reinforce the Bureau’s enforcement priorities and coordinates international efforts to promote competitive markets and effective competition law enforcement."

The Policy, Planning and Advocacy Directorate, headed by an Associate Deputy Commissioner, is tasked with providing "input into departmental and government-wide policy initiatives," and leading the Bureau’s Parliamentary relations, "as well as its integrated planning, monitoring and reporting exercises."

The Public Affairs and Outreach Directorate is in charge of communicating "the Bureau’s activities and priorities to Canadians," as well as supporting and coordinating "the Bureau’s outreach activities to consumers, businesses and stakeholders."

Competition Bureau