The Marketplace Regulations section includes resources on regulations (e.g. Investment Canada Act, corporate and insolvency law), standards (e.g. labelling, Standards Council of Canada, Measurement Canada) and business process information (e.g. incorporation, business mergers, Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy).
Information on Licencing and Legislation or Legal Research can be found on the Strategis website or at one of the Industry Canada offices below.
The role of the Competition Bureau is to ensure that all Canadians enjoy the benefits of a fair, competitive economy; low prices; product choice; and quality service. It is headed by the Commissioner of Competition who oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Precious Metals Marking Act and the Textile Labelling Act.
The website includes information on business services, consumer warnings, mergers, information on compliance and enforcement of the acts under their responsibility, and their role in combatting international anti-competitive practices.
The Competition Bureau is also responsible for labelling. Visitors to the site are invited to check the Labelling Assessment Tools and the Misleading Advertising and Labelling Guidelines for information on consumer packaging and labelling, environmental labelling, precious metals marking, textile labelling as well as down and feather labelling.
The Mergers Branch of the Competition Bureau is responsible for reviewing merger transactions. Visitors can refer to the online guide to filing a merger notification, download notifiable transaction forms or read the merger reviews to obtain the latest information on industry specific mergers.
Additional Resources
Government Announces Measures to Address Impact of Higher Energy Costs, October 6, 2005
The Corporate and Insolvency Law Policy Directorate (CILPD), part of the Marketplace Framework Policy Branch, is responsible for the review and revision of a number of Canada's business framework laws in the insolvency and corporate areas. Visitors to the site can find out about the legislative responsibilities of the CILPD and read consultation documents and published reports.
Corporations Canada — Incorporating Your Business
Corporations Canada administers the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), the Canada Corporations Act (CCA — non-profit), the Boards of Trade Act (BOTA), the Canada Cooperative Associations Act (CCAA) and several other corporate laws governing federal companies, except for financial intermediaries.
Corporations Canada's main business lines include incorporation and related services such as amalgamation or other corporate charter amendments; dissolution of corporations; ruling on the use of corporate names; collecting and disseminating information on federal companies; and compliance and enforcement activities related to the statutes they administer.
Information on registering a not-for-profit company can also be found here.
Additional Resources
Non-Canadians who acquire control of an existing Canadian business or who wish to establish a new unrelated Canadian business are subject to the Investment Canada Act. The FAQs page may help you determine if and how the Act applies to you. The site also provides access to the Act and regulations, online application forms, guidelines and administrative documents to assist you in the interpretation the of the Act and statistics relating to operations under the Act.
Additional Resources
Measurement Canada
Measurement Canada, a Special Operating Agency of Industry Canada, sets the rules of the marketplace with respect to trade measurement, and ensures these rules are effectively implemented and respected. The agency administers and enforces the Weights and Measures Act and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. The website includes a listing of services, online forms, and information on areas of expertise and the Accreditation Program.
Additional Resources
The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada (OSB) helps ensure that bankruptcies and insolvencies are conducted in a fair and orderly manner. The Office is responsible for the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act by:
- supervising the administration of estates in bankruptcy, commercial reorganizations, consumer proposals and receiverships;
- maintaining a publicly accessible record of bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings;
- recording and investigating complaints from creditors, debtors, and members of the general public regarding possible wrongdoing by someone involved in the insolvency process; and
- setting and enforcing professional standards for the administration of estates.
Additional Resources
The Standards Council of Canada accredits organizations that develop and verify conformity to standards in Canada. It also approves National Standards of Canada, represents Canada in international standards forums, and serves as Canada's best source of standards information. The website includes information on standards, accreditation programs, international trade, an information centre, online services and forums.
Voluntary codes are codes of practice or conduct that set benchmarks for behaviour in the marketplace. They are in use for a range of activities including environmental protection, consumer protection, health and safety, labour standards, human rights, advertising, and public standards of decency. Website visitors can read Voluntary Codes: A Guide for Their Development and Use to learn when voluntary codes are likely to succeed and find advice for the development and implementation of codes, or browse the inventories for an insight into voluntary codes initiatives in Canada and internationally.
Additional Resources on Corporate Governance
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