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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2021-06-14June 14, 2021 | 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 | Multiple criminal charges were laid against Terry Croteau. | criminal charges, Terry Croteau, business directories |
| 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 | |
| 2020-05-13May 13, 2020 | Natural health products | NuvoCare | Allegations of unsubstantiated weight loss and fat burning claims | NuvoCare agreed to enter into a temporary consent agreement to prevent potential harm to consumers while the Bureau completes its ongoing investigation.(see pleading no. 47) | NuvoCare, weight loss, weight loss claims |
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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 |