Oct 31, 2017
By Michael Kramer
The Competition Bureau says it has raided the offices of certain companies in a criminal investigation tied to alleged price fixing – following statements released by some of the countries largest grocery chains.
The bureau says the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa granted search warrants – based on evidence that there are reasonable grounds to believe that certain individuals and companies – have engaged in activities contrary to the Competition Act.
Bureau spokeswoman Marie-France Faucher says officers are conducting searches and gathering evidence to determine the facts – and there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time and no charges have been laid.
She could not reveal more details as the bureau is required to conduct investigations confidentially.
Canadian Press reports that Loblaw Companies Ltd. and George Weston Ltd. have confirmed they are aware of an industry-wide investigation by the Competition Bureau – concerning a price-fixing scheme involving certain packaged bread products.
The companies said in a joint statement that they are co-operating fully but would not offer further comment.
Metro Inc. says the investigation concerns certain suppliers and Canadian retailers and that it fully co-operates with the authorities, but also declined further comment.
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