In recent months, four European competition agencies have
targeted what they are calling "asphalt cartels",
alleging that various road-paving companies in their respective
jurisdictions have engaged in price-fixing, collusion, or other
anti-competitive behaviour. In some cases, the agencies'
investigations have resulted in crippling fines for offenders.
Spain has fined ten construction companies a total of $21 million.
Norway has meted out fines of $25 million and $39 million
respectively to two offenders. Germany and Finland are still at the
prosecution stage, but three years ago, Finland fined seven asphalt
companies a total of $109 million, with the cartel leader receiving
a $90 million fine. With so much international attention focused on
their industry, road-paving companies should be asking themselves
what to do if Canada is next.
