Below is a searchable table listing all cases that were made public by the Competition Bureau since 2015 and their outcomes. For more information on a case, click the link in the table.
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What is a consent agreement
To resolve non-compliance in a civil case, we may negotiate a settlement with a business or individual. This negotiated settlement can take the form of a consent agreement registered with the Competition Tribunal. Once registered, consent agreements have the force of a court order.
The Competition Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body that has the power to hear and dispose of matters involving non-compliance with various sections of the Competition Act.
Further reading:
If you cannot find the case you're looking for, you may also consult the following lists:
- Cases of bid-rigging, price-fixing and other illegal agreements between competitors
- Cases of restrictive trade practices
- Records of concluded merger reviews
Date | Product/Service | Company/Individual | Issue | Status/Outcome | Hidden Search Terms |
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2023-04-28 April 28, 2023 | Telemarketing Online business directories | Terry Croteau | Allegation of using deceptive telemarketing and false or misleading statements to get businesses to sign up for listings in online directories | The individual was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.28M in restitution for defrauding Canadian businesses. | deceptive telemarketing, false or misleading marketing, businesses, sign up, listings in online, Terry Croteau |
2022-04-27 April 27, 2022 | Natural health products | NuvoCare Health Sciences Inc. | Allegations of false or misleading marketing claims in the sale of dietary supplements. | The company agreed to pay $100,000 in total penalties, change or remove all weight loss claims made about their products, and establish and maintain a corporate compliance program. | Allegations, false or misleading marketing, claims, sale of dietary supplements, Natural health products, NuvoCare Health Sciences, penalties |
2023-05-18 May 18, 2023 | Online ticket sales | Cineplex | Allegations of drip pricing in online ticket prices. | The Bureau filed an application with the Competition Tribunal. | Allegations, drip pricing, online ticket, prices, Online ticket sales, Cineplex |
2023-09-27 September 27, 2023 | Furniture and home decor | The Dufresne Group Inc. | Allegations of false or misleading claims and false urgency cues regarding the sale of retail furniture. | The company agreed to pay a $3.25 million penalty and $100,000 towards the Bureau's costs to resolve concerns over their marketing practices in Canada. The Company also committed to have their marketing practices comply with the Competition Act, and establish and maintain a corporate compliance program. | Rogers, Allegations false or misleading, marketing, claims, false urgency cues, sale, retail furniture, The Dufresne Group Inc., The Dufresne Group, Furniture, home decor |
2023-12-04 December 4, 2023 | Telecommunications services | Rogers | Allegations of false or misleading marketing claims when promoting its Infinite wireless phone plans. | The Federal Court of Canada ordered Rogers and its subsidiary to produce records and information relevant to the Bureau's investigation. There is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time. | Rogers, Allegations false or misleading, marketing, claims, promoting, Infinite wireless, phone plans, telecomunications services, Bureau's investigation |
2023-12-05 December 5, 2023 | Mobile Music App | Amp Me | Allegations of false or misleading claims regarding the free nature of the mobile app and the purchase of positive third-party reviews. | The company agreed to pay a partial penalty of $310,00, in satisfaction of the imposed penalty of $1,500,00, and an additional $40,000 for the costs of the Bureau’s investigation. If the Bureau obtains evidence that Amp Me has not disclosed all its assets, the $1.5 million will become immediately payable. | Montreal; Quebec; Amp Me Inc; Amp Me; mobile application; Canada; United States; U.S.; United States of America; amplify music; synchronize device; synchronizes devices; synchronizes multiple devices; false product reviews; false reviews; misleading reviews; available free of charge; pay administrative monetary penalty; partial penalty; inaccurate financial statements; incomplete financial statements; Competition Bureau marketing practices; online prices; online reviews; rely on online prices; rely on online reviews; truthfulness; accuracy; accurate financial statements; financial statements; truthful financial statements; suspension of full payment; consent agreement; false claimes; misleading claims; deceptive marketing; deceptive marketing practices; online advertising; online warnings; online reviews; consumer; consumers |
2023-11-21 November 21, 2023 | Ticket resale | TicketNetwork | Allegations of drip pricing and other misleading claims in the online resale of tickets. | The company agreed to pay a $825,000 penalty and to cease all deceptive marketing claims at issue. | TicketNetwork, agreement, Competition Bureau, drip pricing, tickets, unattainable prices, consumers, mandatory fees, StubHub, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, Discount, car rental industry, marketing practices |
2022-01-06 January 6, 2022 | Single-use coffee pods | Keurig Canada | Allegations of false or misleading environmental claims about the recyclability of single-use coffee pods | The company agreed to pay a $3 million penalty, donate $800,000 to a Canadian charitable organisation and pay $500,000 for the costs of the Bureau’s investigation | Keurig Canada, coffee pod, coffee pod recycling, coffee pod recycling claims |
2021-07-09July 9, 2021 | Pandemic-related benefit programs | Canada Tax Reviews | Allegations of false or misleading practices regarding government benefit programs implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic | The Federal Court of Canada ordered Canada Tax Reviews to produce records and information relevant to the Bureau’s investigation. | Canada Tax Reviews, Canada Emergency Response Benefit, Canada Recovery Benefit |
2021-02-24February 24, 2021 | Online flight-booking services | FlightHub | Allegations of hidden fees, authoring positive consumer reviews and numerous false or misleading price claims | The company agreed to pay a $5 million penalty, and two company directors have agreed to penalties of $400,000 each. | FlightHub, hidden fees, false online reviews |
2021-01-28January 28, 2021 | Free trial offers | Revive You Media (1806369 Alberta Limited) | Company pleaded guilty to operating a deceptive trial offer scheme that trapped consumers into monthly subscriptions | The company was fined $15 million and is subject to a ten-year court order prohibiting it from any direct or indirect involvement in promoting deceptive trial offers. | deceptive trial offer scheme, Revive You Media, 1806369 Alberta Limited |
2020-11-17November 17, 2020 | Sport equipment | True Sport | Allegations of performance claims not based on adequate and proper tests | The company agreed to cease all claims at issue and donate $100,000 in equipment to support youth sports. | TRUE hockey helmets, ice hockey helmets, TRUE Sports Inc. |
2020-05-19May 19, 2020 | Social media | Allegations of false or misleading claims about the disclosure of personal information on Facebook and Messenger | The company agreed to pay a $9 million penalty and $500,000 for the costs of the Bureau’s investigation. | Facebook and Messenger, Facebook, personal information | |
2020-02-13February 13, 2020 | Online ticket sales | StubHub | Allegations of false or misleading pricing claims: additional mandatory fees during the later stages of the purchasing process | The company agreed to pay a $1.3 million penalty. (see pleading no. 2) | StubHub, |
2019-06-27 June 27, 2019 | Online ticket sales | Ticketmaster | Allegations of misleading pricing claims: additional mandatory fees during the later stages of the purchasing process | The company agreed to pay a $4 million penalty and $500,000 for costs incurred by the Bureau during its investigation. | tickets, Live Nation, fees |
2019-05-08 May 8, 2019 | Retail sleep sets | Hudson’s Bay | Allegations of deceptive regular price claims and clearance promotions | The company agreed to pay a $4 million administrative penalty and $500,000 for the costs of the Bureau’s investigation.
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mattress, pricing, clearance |
2019-04-11 April 11, 2019 | Telecommunications services | Bell | Allegations of false and misleading claims made when promoting the supply of its residential services | The investigation into Bell was discontinued. | telephone, internet, pricing |
2018-10-11 October 11, 2018 | Car rental | Discount Car & Truck Rentals Ltd. | Allegations of false or misleading representations regarding fees and discounts on car rentals | The company agreed to pay a penalty of $700,000 and review its practices to ensure ads comply with the law. | automobiles, rental, fees |
2018-03-26 March 26, 2018 | Office supplies and medical kits | Randolph Misiurak, Global Electronic Solutions and Federal Emergency Medical Supply | Fraudulent telemarketing tactics | The individual was sentenced to 2 years less a day in jail and 3 years of probation. | supplies, regulations, government |
2018-02-22 February 22, 2018 | Car rental | Enterprise Rent-a-Car Canada | Allegations of false or misleading claims regarding pricing of car rentals | The company agreed to pay a penalty of $1 million and review its practices to ensure ads comply with the law. | automobiles, rental, fees |
2018-02-20 February 20, 2018 | Retail furniture and home appliances | Leon’s | Allegations of deceptive advertising of payment financing plans | The company agreed to donate $750,000 worth of home furnishings to Canadian charities. | fees, processing, administrative |
2018-02-20 February 20, 2018 | Retail furniture and home appliances | The Brick | Allegations of deceptive advertising of payment financing plans | The company agreed to donate $750,000 worth of home furnishings to Canadian charities. | fees, processing, administrative |
2018-01-12 January 12, 2018 | Automobile (3.0 litre diesel engine) | Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche | Allegations of false or misleading environmental marketing claims | The companies agreed to pay a penalty of $2.5 million. | diesel, emissions, compliance |
2018-01-10 January 10, 2018 | Electronic muscle stimulation devices | Thane Canada Inc. | Allegations of performance claims not based on adequate and proper tests | The company agreed to pay a penalty of $350,000 and not to market electronic muscle stimulation services for 10 years. | ems, muscle, testing |
2017-09-28 September 28, 2017 | Television antenna | John Dragan, JD Marvel, and CDN Mail Order | False representations and deceptive marketing practices | Sentenced to 18 months in prison and prohibited for a period of five years from selling goods to consumers where they cannot see the product before purchase. | delivery, clear vue, deceptive |
2017-05-24 May 24, 2017 | Directory listing | Thompson Hill Publishing, Marc Lefebvre, Karl Garon | Deceptive telemarketing and false or misleading claims | Pleaded guilty and was fined $180,000. The company and two of its managers, Marc Lefebvre and Karl Garon, were prohibited from any telemarketing activities for five years. | directory listings, call centres, business |
2017-04-24 April 24, 2017 | Car rental | Hertz and Dollar Thrifty | Allegations of false or misleading claims regarding pricing of car rentals | The company agreed to pay a penalty of $1.25 million and review its practices to ensure ads comply with the law. | automobiles, rental, fees |
2017-02-07 February 7, 2017 | Subscription to online directories | Mega Byte Information, Georges Haligua | Deceptive telemarketing targeting businesses in Canada, the United States, and Europe | Company pleaded guilty and was fined $450,000. The company president, Georges Haligua, was prohibited from engaging in telemarketing for 10 years. | pre-authorized, renewal, legislation |
2017-01-11 January 11, 2017 | Online retail | Amazon | Allegations of misleading pricing practices | The company agreed to pay a penalty of $1 million, change its pricing practices and pay $100,000 toward the cost of the Bureau’s investigation. | list price, representation, market |
2016-12-19 December 19, 2016 | Automobile (2.0 litre diesel engine) | Volkswagen Canada and Audi Canada | Allegations of false or misleading environmental claims | The companies agreed to pay an administrative penalty of $15 million. | diesel, emissions, compliance |
2016-10-28 October 28, 2016 | Office supplies and medical kits | Jacqueline Kolthoff, Global Electronic Solutions, and Federal Emergency Medical Supply | Deceptive telemarketing | Sentenced to 16 months of imprisonment (8 months under house arrest and 8 months under curfew) and prohibited from engaging in telemarketing for 10 years. | pre-authorized, renewal, legislation |
2016-09-13 September 13, 2016 | Telecommunications services | Comwave Networks | Allegations of false or misleading claims regarding charges and level of service for Internet and home phone connections | The company agreed to pay a penalty of $300,000 and $60,000 toward the Bureau’s investigation costs. | price, representation, fees |
2016-06-02 June 2, 2016 | Car rental | Avis/Budget | Allegations of false or misleading claims regarding pricing of car rentals | The company agreed to pay an administrative penalty of $3 million and $250,000 toward the Bureau’s investigation costs.
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unattainable, accurate, fees |
2016-05-17 May 17, 2016 | Telecommunications services | Bell Mobility | Allegations of false or misleading representations to customer in third-party ads for premium text messaging and services and charging for these services without customer authorization | The company agreed to provide $11.82 million in customer rebates/credits, donate $800,000 to public interest digital media research, publish a notice to affected customers, and develop a consumer awareness campaign. | providers, text, messaging |
2016-05-27 May 27, 2016 | Telecommunications services | Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) | Allegations of false or misleading representations to customers in third-party ads for premium text messaging services and charging for these services without customer authorization | As part of the settlement, the CWTA agreed to develop a consumer awareness campaign, issue a public notice to affected customers, and implement an internal corporate compliance program with a specific focus on “billing on behalf of” practices. | providers, text, messaging |
2016-12-07 December 7, 2016 | Outerwear manufacturing | Moose Knuckles | Concerns over “Made in Canada” claims (advertising and labelling) | The company agreed to donate $750,000 to Canadian charities and display a corrective notice.
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parka, fabrication, qualificatif |
2015-12-30 December 30, 2015 | Telecommunications services | Telus | Allegations of false of misleading representations in third party advertisements for premium text messages in pop-up ads, apps, and on social media | The company agreed to offer rebates of up to $7.34 million to current and former wireless customers and donate $250,000 to Ryerson University, Éducaloi, and l’Université de Montréal. | Koodo, text messaging, rates |
2015-12-21 December 21, 2015 | Sport equipment | Reebok-CCM | Allegations that certain performance claims not based on adequate and proper tests | The company agreed to remove or modify certain performance claim, donate $475,000 to a Canadian charity, and pay $30,000 toward the cost of the Bureau’s investigation. | helmet, resistance, performance |
2015-10-14 October 14, 2015 | Telecommunications services | Bell | Allegation that reviews poste by certain Bell employees created the general impression that they were made by independent and impartial consumers | The company agreed to pay a penalty of $1,250,000 and to enhance and maintain its corporate compliance program. | review, employee, false |
2015-06-23 June 23, 2015 | Subscription to online directories | Amalia DiFalco, Éric Chenail, Carl Rubat-Du-Mérac | Deceptive telemarketing targeting businesses in Canada, the United States, and Europe. | These individuals pleaded guilty and received fines totalling $60,000, conditional sentences totalling 21 months, a total of 470 hours of community service and made a $5000 charitable donation. | pre-authorized, renewal, legislation |
2015-05-06 May 6, 2015 | Retail | Michaels | Allegations of misrepresentation in price advertising of frames and custom framing services. | The company agreed to pay a penalty of $3.5 million and to establish a corporate compliance program. | review, employee, false |
2015-03-16 March 16, 2015 | Telecommunications services | Rogers | Allegations of false or misleading representations in third party advertisements for premium test messages in pop-up ads, apps and on social media | The company agreed to pay $5.42 million in refunds to consumers; to cease billing for premium text messaging services unless the customer has approved the charges, create a consumer awareness campaign, and enhance its corporate compliance program. | text messaging, billing, third party |