Competition Bureau

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Competition Bureau Implements Policy for Greater Transparency

OTTAWA, April 28, 2005 - The Competition Bureau is taking steps to enhance transparency in its operations by implementing a new policy that will better inform the public about the Bureau's work. In certain cases, the Bureau will issue "technical backgrounders" describing its analysis and the reasons behind its conclusions, leading to a greater understanding of the legislation and encouraging compliance with the law.

Technical backgrounders will generally be issued when:

• the release of more comprehensive information will provide useful insight or education to the public and business community, thereby encouraging greater compliance with the law;
• the issues are sufficiently important or complex;
• there is a need to clarify a point of law or policy (for example, where the Bureau has taken a new approach);
• the matter in question has received substantial publicity; or
• the practice in question has a significant impact on consumers.

Technical backgrounders will not typically be published when a case goes before the Competition Tribunal or the courts. However, they may be published for cases that have consent agreements, agreed statements of fact or prohibition orders on consent.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Tim Weil
Director of Strategic Communications
Communications Branch
(819) 953-9271

For general enquiries, please contact:

Information Centre
Competition Bureau
(819) 997-4282
1-800-348-5358