Competition Bureau

The rise of AI: Fraud in the digital age

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

According to Statistics Canada, fraud cases in Canada have almost doubled over the past ten years, surging from 79,000 in 2012 to 150,000 in 2022.

Key Points: 
  • According to Statistics Canada, fraud cases in Canada have almost doubled over the past ten years, surging from 79,000 in 2012 to 150,000 in 2022.
  • This increase shows that fraudsters are becoming more skilled, and technology like AI is helping them improve their old tricks.
  • AI can be used to quickly produce texts, emails, and messages in the style and language of a specific person.
  • If you believe you've come across misleading AI generated content, report it to the Competition Bureau or to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre .

Prime Minister announces the appointment of the Honourable Konrad von Finckenstein as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Konrad von Finckenstein as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Konrad von Finckenstein as Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
  • He is a recipient of the Order of Canada and served as interim Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
  • The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner is an Agent of Parliament appointed for a term of seven years.
  • The Commissioner administers the Conflict of Interest Act, which sets out clear conflict of interest and post-employment rules applicable to public office holders.

Competition Bureau expands its investigation into Google's advertising practices

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to gather information and advance an ongoing investigation into Google's online advertising practices in Canada.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau has obtained a court order to gather information and advance an ongoing investigation into Google's online advertising practices in Canada.
  • The Bureau is investigating whether Google has engaged in certain practices that harm competition in the online display advertising industry in Canada.
  • The Bureau has now expanded the scope of its investigation to examine ways that Google may be:
    using predatory pricing in certain display advertising technology services.
  • The Bureau also investigated Google in 2016 for alleged anti-competitive conduct relating to online search, search advertising and displaying advertising.

Fraud Prevention Month 2024: Fighting fraud in the digital era

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

If you have information about deceptive marketing practices, report it to the Competition Bureau .

Key Points: 
  • If you have information about deceptive marketing practices, report it to the Competition Bureau .
  • In 2023, the top three most reported types of fraud were identity fraud, service fraud, and phishing –all designed to get you to pay or give away sensitive information like your social insurance number, passwords or banking details.
  • In 2023, the CAFC received 116,403 reports which included at least 41,873 victims of fraud.
  • As fraud continues to evolve we want to remind Canadian to remain vigilant by recognizing, rejecting, and reporting fraud."

Supreme Court dismisses Secure Energy's application to appeal the successful challenge of Secure and Tervita merger

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024

GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 26, 2024 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau welcomes the Supreme Court of Canada's (SCC) decision to dismiss an application by Secure Energy seeking leave to appeal the Bureau's successful challenge of the merger of two rival suppliers of oilfield waste services.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 26, 2024 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau welcomes the Supreme Court of Canada's (SCC) decision to dismiss an application by Secure Energy seeking leave to appeal the Bureau's successful challenge of the merger of two rival suppliers of oilfield waste services.
  • The Bureau recently approved R360 Environmental Solutions Canada Inc. as the buyer of the 29 facilities.
  • The facilities include 17 treatment, recovery, and disposal facilities, 4 standalone water disposal wells, 6 landfills and 2 caverns.
  • Secure acquired these facilities as part of the merger.

WASTE CONNECTIONS ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF ACQUISITION OF SECURE ENERGY WASTE DIVESTITURES IN WESTERN CANADA

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) ("Waste Connections" or "the Company") today announced the closing of the previously announced acquisition of the Secure Energy Services Inc. (TSX: SES) ("Secure") portfolio of 30 energy waste treatment and disposal facilities in Western Canada for an aggregate purchase price of CAD$1.075 billion.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) ("Waste Connections" or "the Company") today announced the closing of the previously announced acquisition of the Secure Energy Services Inc. (TSX: SES) ("Secure") portfolio of 30 energy waste treatment and disposal facilities in Western Canada for an aggregate purchase price of CAD$1.075 billion.
  • "We are pleased to expand our R360 E&P waste operations into Canada, and we welcome the former Secure employees to the Waste Connections family," said Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, President and Chief Executive Officer.
  • Waste Connections ( wasteconnections.com ) is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, including by rail, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation.
  • You should not place undue reliance on forward‑looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Online reviews posted by employees: businesses could be liable

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 18, 2024

GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 18, 2024 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau is warning businesses to watch out for reviews posted by their employees that don't properly disclose their business connection.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 18, 2024 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau is warning businesses to watch out for reviews posted by their employees that don't properly disclose their business connection.
  • When posting online reviews about their company or its competitors, employees must disclose all connections they have with the business, product or service they promote, even if they're providing their honest opinion.
  • Anyone who writes or permits writing reviews that give a false or misleading impression to consumers could be liable under the Competition Act.
  • Businesses with strong compliance programs are best equipped to prevent problematic reviews by their employees.

Construction DJL Inc. to pay $1.5 million for bid-rigging on public contracts in Québec

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 15, 2024

GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Road construction company Construction DJL Inc. has been ordered to pay $1.5 million in connection with bid rigging for ministère des Transports du Québec paving contracts in the Granby region of Québec.

Key Points: 
  • GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Road construction company Construction DJL Inc. has been ordered to pay $1.5 million in connection with bid rigging for ministère des Transports du Québec paving contracts in the Granby region of Québec.
  • The payment is part of a settlement between the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Construction DJL filed today with the Superior Court of Québec.
  • The settlement ends the Competition Bureau's investigation of the company's role in a bid-rigging scheme between 2008 and 2009.
  • Bid-rigging on public contracts raises the cost for governments and amounts to a theft of taxpayers' money that could otherwise be spent on important public needs.

SEIU Local 2: Jagmeet Singh adds voice to those calling on Sobeys to offer striking workers in Halifax a fair wage

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 2, 2023

Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada's NDP, sent a message of solidarity and support to the workers, members of the Service Employees International Union Local 2.

Key Points: 
  • Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada's NDP, sent a message of solidarity and support to the workers, members of the Service Employees International Union Local 2.
  • Sobeys’ last offer would provide most employees with a mere five-cent per hour increase.
  • “The living wage in Halifax is over $25 an hour but Pete's workers only make $15, including those with more than 10 years of service.
  • SEIU Local 2 represents 20,000 workers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Forum Energy Technologies Receives Approval to Proceed with Variperm Acquisition from Canadian Competition Bureau

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 21, 2023

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FET) today announced that it has received approval from the Canadian Competition Bureau to proceed with its planned acquisition of Variperm Energy Services.

Key Points: 
  • Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FET) today announced that it has received approval from the Canadian Competition Bureau to proceed with its planned acquisition of Variperm Energy Services.
  • The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to FET’s margins and cash flow.
  • At closing, FET’s net leverage ratio is expected to be 1.9x with liquidity of $142 million.
  • FET (Forum Energy Technologies) is a global company, serving the oil, natural gas, industrial and renewable energy industries.