2010 Canadian Competition Law - Year in Review

Some of the most sweeping changes to Canada's Competition Act since the 1980s came into effect in 2010. As well, the implications of earlier amendments that came into effect in 2009 began to be felt throughout the past year. The new Commissioner of Competition, who took office in August 2009, ensured that relevant Competition Bureau policies were updated to reflect the new law, and demonstrated her willingness to pursue more aggressively anti-competitive conduct, challenging Canada's major national association of real estate agents, as well as credit card giants Visa and MasterCard.

Formal, fully-contested proceedings are rare under the Competition Act, and 2010 was no exception. Although the Commissioner did initiate several high-profile cases by filing complaints with the Competition Tribunal, one case settled. Another was filed in December 2010 so it remains to be seen whether the parties will fight or negotiate a settlement. Absent the direction provided by