More than five years since Canada’s Competition Bureau began an investigation into an alleged bread-price fixing scheme, no conclusions have been drawn nor charges laid. As the watchdog is now probing whether grocery stores are profiting from inflation, one expert says the effectiveness of its tools are in question.
It’s been more than five years since Canada’s Competition Bureau began its investigation into an alleged bread price-fixing scheme involving major grocery chains and bakeries countrywide.The vice-dean of research in Civil Law at the University of Ottawa says it raises questions about the watchdog’s ability to safeguard consumers or compel companies.
"The alleged conspiracy was a deliberate attempt by management of Canada Bread and Weston Bakeries, along with the retailers, to suppress competition at both the wholesale and retail level and thereby increase the wholesale and retail prices of fresh commercial bread in Canada," wrote Simon Bessette, a senior competition law officer with the Competition Bureau's cartels and deceptive marketing practices branch.
The leniency program with the Competition Bureau usually grants immunity to the first party that comes forward, Quaid said. Subsequent parties will receive leniency in smaller and smaller amounts depending on how quickly they came forward and how many others came forward before they did. The most plausible explanation is that Loblaw has come forward, but the other companies don’t believe enough evidence is present and they are prepared to sit back, she said.
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