Focus On Competition Law Compliance – Competition Bureau Releases Draft Updated Bulletin On Corporate Compliance Programs

Now, more than ever, it is critical for Canadian businesses to deploy an effective competition law compliance program. In a speech last month, Commission of Competition John Pecman reiterated that the best way for a company to reduce its risk of contravening the Competition Act is to put in place a credible and effective compliance program.¹ Concurrently, the Competition Bureau released an updated draft of its Corporate Compliance Programs Bulletin, which sets out the essential components for such a compliance program.²

A notable update to the draft Bulletin is the addition of an incentive program for companies that qualify for leniency under the Bureau's Leniency Program and can demonstrate that their compliance program was credible and effective. These companies may receive a discretionary reduction in fines.