Competition Bureau Finds No Evidence to Gas Price Offences in Northwest

THUNDER BAY – The price of gasoline has been high across Northwestern Ontario. This both federal and provincial leaders to seek the Competition Bureau to investigate the price of gasoline in the region.

Kenora MP Bob Nault reports tonight, “Following my meeting with the office of the Commissioner of the Competition Bureau with respect to gasoline prices, I received a letter today informing me that the Bureau has concluded its investigation into gasoline prices in Northwestern Ontario. The Bureau did not find evidence that an offence under the Competition Act has occurred.”

Here is what the Competition Bureau reported

The Competition Bureau has concluded an investigation of gasoline pricing practices in Northwestern Ontario. The Bureau did not find evidence that an offence under the Competition Acthas occurred.

As part of an investigation that began in December 2018, Bureau officers conducted field interviews at a total of 50 gas stations in the communities of Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, Dryden and Kenora. The Bureau also collected and analyzed pricing data from various sources, and examined regional market characteristics such as wholesale gasoline supply and distribution. Throughout this investigation, the Bureau did not uncover evidence of anticompetitive agreements among competitors in the wholesale or retail gasoline markets.

Should the Bureau become aware of evidence of anticompetitive activity at any time in the future, it will not hesitate to take action.

Contact us to report anticompetitive activity

Anyone with information about price-fixing or other anticompetitive activity can contact the Competition Bureau by calling 1-800-348-5358 or by submitting a complaint online. Keep in mind that high or identical prices by themselves are not evidence of illegal activity. There needs to be hard evidence of an illegal agreement between competitors.

Whistleblowing Initiative

If you believe the company you work for has an illegal agreement with its competitors, contact us and we will keep your identity secret. Whistleblowers are also protected by law. It is against the law for your employer to retaliate against you, or to threaten to do so, if you provide the Competition Bureau with information.

Those involved in illegal agreements who come forward with information and cooperate with our investigation may qualify for immunity or lenient treatment under our Immunity and Leniency Programs.