Price Gouging Prohibitions Across Canada

So-called "excessive price" prohibitions are premised on a theory of harm that is generally rejected in competition law. Indeed, Canada's Competition Act does not even contain a prohibition against excessive pricing. Among the many reasons for not prohibiting excessive prices are that to do so would undermine investment incentives (both of firms already in the market and potential entrants). Further, the phenomenon of excessive prices, in the absence of exclusionary conduct, is generally viewed as a temporary phenomenon that will be corrected by the market. Also, the legal uncertainty associated with the vagueness of the 'excessive' element in the concept could easily result in regulatory overreach.