For the second time, the federal government is attempting to
significantly expand the investigative powers of the Commissioner
of Competition. Although described as part of an effort to
prosecute online bullying and the exchange of illicit photographs,
Bill C-13 (titled the
Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act),
which received first reading in Canadian Parliament on November 20,
would also introduce broad new powers for the Commissioner when
investigating companies and individuals suspected of having
contravened or engaged in reviewable conduct under the
Competition Act.
The modifications to the Competition Act
in Bill C-13 are very similar to those included in last year's
Bill C-30 (titled the Protecting
Children from Internet Predators Act), which we described in
our post last year, though provisions relating
to warrantless access to internet subscriber information have been
removed. Bill C-13 was roundly criticized by privacy advocates for
its onerous
