Competition Bureau seeks feedback on new enforcement guidelines about illegal business agreements

Competition Bureau seeks feedback on new enforcement guidelines about illegal business agreements July 15, 2026 – GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

July 15, 2026 – GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau is inviting Canadians to provide feedback on its proposed Cartel Enforcement Guidelines.

The guidelines explain how the Bureau enforces the cartel provisions of the Competition Act.

These provisions address illegal business agreements, such as bid-rigging, price-fixing, market allocation, supply restriction, and wage-fixing and no-poaching agreements. These agreements are criminal offences under the Competition Act and can lead to significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

The guidelines offer practical and accessible information as well as examples to help legal practitioners and businesses comply with the law. They are particularly relevant for businesses that interact with competitors and other businesses through collaborations or joint ventures. 

The proposed guidelines reflect how the Bureau will approach enforcement of the cartel provisions of the Act until final guidelines are published.

The Bureau invites businesses, legal practitioners, procurement authorities, academics, and other interested parties to provide feedback by September 13, 2026, by email to: [email protected]. Submissions will be published on the Bureau’s website unless the sender requests confidentiality. The Bureau will review all feedback and publish final guidelines following the consultation.

Amendments to the Competition Act between 2022 and 2025 have strengthened the framework for addressing anti-competitive conduct, such as illegal business agreements and abuse of market power.

In response to these changes, the Bureau is issuing two updated enforcement guidelines: