Check and Balance

The case for improving Canada’s Competition Act to protect workers
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August 11, 2021
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Canada’s competition law, the Competition Act, is supposed to keep corporate power in check and protect consumers and businesses from its abuse. However, this paper outlines how the law is weak and ineffective, by design. The competition law we have today is highly permissive of corporate dominance and riddled with gaps that permit corporations to form monopolies that can exploit consumers and workers.

This report examines competition policy in Canada and other jurisdictions, analyzes deficiencies in Canadian law, and contrasts them with the successes of legal actions taken in the U.S. and Turkey. These case studies show both the need for legislative reform in Canada, and what is possible when authorities have the laws they need to protect workers.

The report recommends that Canada reform its competition law to integrate an anti-monopoly focus. Its annex also includes a guide on how to engage with the Competition Bureau during the course of merger investigations.

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