We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. Learn more here.Close Me
On May 4, 2012 the Competition Bureau announced that Maxzone Auto
Parts (Canada) pleaded guilty to price-fixing for its participation
in an international cartel involving aftermarket replacement
automotive lights. Maxzone was fined C$1.5 million under
subsection 45(2) of the Competition Act
which provides for imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of C$25
million for the offence of conspiracy to fix prices between
competitors.The products that were the subject matter of the
conspiracy consisted primarily of headlights and tail lights
purchased by auto parts supply companies in Canada for use as
replacement parts in automobiles.
Maxzone admitted to implementing an agreement with its
competitors that fixed the price of aftermarket automotive lights
in Canada from January 2004 to September 2008. The products
that were the subject matter of the conspiracy consisted primarily
of headlights and tail lights purchased by auto parts supply
companies in Canada for use as replacement parts in
automobiles.
The Bureau's investigation in this case benefited from
cooperation under its Immunity and Leniency Programs. The Immunity Program allows for
the first party to disclose to the Bureau the existence of an
offence that has not yet been detected or to provide evidence
leading to the filing of charges may receive immunity from
prosecution from the Director of Public Prosecutions of Canada
(DPP) as long as the party co-operates with the Bureau in its
investigation. Under the Leniency Program, the Bureau
may recommend to the DPP that cooperating persons who have breached
the cartel provisions under the Competition Act, who are
not eligible for a grant of immunity, nevertheless be considered
for lenient treatment in sentencing.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
To print this article, all you need is to be registered on Mondaq.com.
Click to Login as an existing user or Register so you can print this article.
On April 29, 2013, the Government of Canada tabled its budget implementation bill, the Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, which includes proposed amendments to the Investment Canada Act, particularly in relation to state-owned enterprises.
Following its approval in December 2012 of two high-profile transactions involving foreign state-owned enterprises acquiring Canadian businesses, the Canadian government announced new policies that would guide the minister of industry in applying the Investment Canada Act (ICA) to subsequent similar transactions.
On April 18, 2013 before Justice L.D. Ratushny of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, a Japanese supplier of motor vehicle components, Yazaki Corporation ("Yazaki") pleaded guilty to three counts of bid-rigging, in violation of subsection 47(2) of the Competition Act.
In cases heard barely two weeks apart, Canada’s Competition Bureau obtained record-setting fines against two Japanese auto parts suppliers that pleaded guilty to bid-rigging charges.
