Competition Bureau Releases Draft Bulletin On Sentencing In Cartel Cases

On April 28^th, 2008 the Competition Bureau released for public consultation its draft Information Bulletin on sentencing and leniency recommendations in cartel cases. The Bulletin had been anticipated as a component of the Bureau's revised immunity program, that was released on October 11, 2007. The Bureau aims to encourage early resolution of cases by offering leniency in the form of a 50% fine reduction and no sanctions against individuals for the first leniency applicant and lesser reductions for later applicants. Applicants for leniency will be required to provide full disclosure and material cooperation and could face disqualification if they fail to meet the program's requirements. While there remain areas of uncertainty, the Bulletin represents a good "first step" in providing a greater degree of predictability and transparency in resolving the Bureau's most significant criminal cases. Public