How to contact the Competition Bureau

[Hopperbin]

I created this topic cause as farmers we are constantly complaining about competition in our inputs and I could not find a phone number in the blue pages. So here is the website, lots to learn.

http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/home

[Hopperbin]

Some interesting laws.


Conspiracy, Section 45

Section 45 is the cornerstone cartel provision of the Competition Act. It makes it a criminal offence when two or more competitors or potential competitors conspire, agree or arrange to fix prices, allocate customers or markets, or restrict output of a product. This offence is known as a conspiracy, and is punishable by a fine of up to $25 million, or imprisonment for a term of up to 14 years, or both.


Foreign Directives, Section 46

Section 46 makes it a criminal offence for a company carrying on business in Canada to implement any foreign directive intended to give effect to a conspiracy entered into outside of Canada that would contravene section 45 if it had been entered into in Canada.

Bid-rigging

Under section 47, it is a criminal offence for two or more bidders, in response to a call or request for bids or tenders, to agree that one party will refrain from bidding, withdraw a submitted bid, or to agree among themselves on bids submitted, without informing the person calling for the bids of this agreement. Penalties for bid-rigging include a fine in the discretion of the court and/or a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

[silverback]

the fertilizer and fuel industries have been openly and brazenly restricting output of product to drive up prices.

Would it really be that hard for someone to charge them with conspiracy based on the above?

[Hopperbin]

You got a point there. there is some form of fixing price at our gas stations. Then again if you under cut the next gas station you may soon be out of business. Our Fertilizer N is a totally different story in my opinion.

[Hopperbin]

How many of us have actually attempted to file a complaint?

[Hopperbin]

According to this part of the site no one has enquired about fert. fuel or farm imputs. this part of the site lists all discontinued enquiries.
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/h_00780.html

[wd9]

Its easy to charge them. Just fill out the
form and they reply. Proving it after the
fact is where the difficulty begins.

Get someone like CCGA or WCWG or GGC
(probably best) to initiate the complaint.

Then they contact you and you give
details.

[perfecho]

Your MP should be the first line of complaint.....they are responsible for approving conglomerate takeovers.....and usually the only people lobbying are the people who are doing the "conglomerating".....the same ones who seem to donate to parties in power as well.

[Burbert]

The Comedian Competition Bureau is a JOKE.
A do nothing organiztion, staffed with
polictico hacks, shills, syncophants that
lean whichever way the gobermont wants
them ta lean! Ferget it folks.
Angribusiness wins again! Butt we dos
love a challenge, us Comedian framers.....

[grassfarmer]

Agreed Burbert - a complete joke- we filed
complaints with the Competition Bureau a couple of
times over beef issues with regard to packers and
got nowhere. Like the info posted above you would
say they were clearly in contravention of the law but
no action is ever taken. The CB staff are interesting
- lots of the brightest young lawyers work there
fresh out of law school - before progressing to a
career as corporate lawyers. Hmm do you think their
chances of getting hired with Cargill etc would be
enhanced if they do them a favour during their
Competition Bureau days?

[bgmb]

They forced an elevator sale in our area on a
previous takeover deal because one company
would be too dominant in a our geographical area.

[bgmb]

I think if you looked at the geographical
dominance agrium will now have in certain areas
it would most definitely be a cause for concern
never mind the overall picture for the grain and
fert business

[Burbert]

Agrium is in a good position to carry on
Angribusiness. Theys like drug pushers,
cousin they knows we have ta use, theys
the only ones wit the stuff soooos they
kin set the price and wait fer us Comedian
framers ta come round and pick up the
stuff. Ifn the gobermont lets them git
away wit it, WHY NOT take advantage of
framers. Most are very stupid anyways!!!!