Category Archives: Consumer Protection

Competition Bureau Announces New Deputy Commissioner, Civil Matters Branch

On March 6, 2012, the Competition Bureau announced that Alison Tait has been appointed the new Deputy Commissioner, Civil Matters Branch In making the announcement, the Bureau said: “Ms. Tait has extensive experience in industrial policy, program development, and international business development, both in Canada and … Read the rest of this entry »

Commissioner of Competition Interview – Globe and Mail: “Competition Commissioner Lays Down the Rules”

The Globe and Mail posted a short interview with the Commissioner of Competition earlier today by Steve Ladurantaye. Among the topics discussed by the Commissioner included misleading advertising, the perception that the Competition Bureau only pursues high profile deterrent setting cases, the Bureau’s approach to … Read the rest of this entry »

Fraud Update: Competition Bureau Tips For Consumers Against Fraud

March is Fraud Prevention Month.  On March 5, 2012, the Competition Bureau issued the following tips for consumers to protect themselves against fraud: Be vigilant when evaluating ads, whether for a job, a product or service offered online, over the phone or in print. Before … Read the rest of this entry »

Advertising & Fraud Update: U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Top 10 Consumer Complaints – Includes Contests, Loan Products & Identity Theft

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has published a very interesting list of top 10 consumer complaints: 1. Identity theft: Fighting back against identify theft 2. Debt collection complaints: Dealing with debt 3. Prizes, sweepstakes & lotteries: Sweepstakes and lotteries scams 4. Shop-at-home and catalog … Read the rest of this entry »

Advertising Update: $9 Million Penalty and Restitution Obtained in Deceptive Marketing Scheme

The Competition Bureau announced earlier today that five companies and three individuals were found by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to have violated the Competition Act in relation to a deceptive marketing operation (see: Competition Bureau Secures Over $9 Million and Money Back to … Read the rest of this entry »

Advertising Update: Supreme Court Awards Compensatory and Punitive Damages in Misleading Contest Case

CANADIAN CONTEST RULES/PRECEDENTS Do you need contest rules and forms for a Canadian contest/sweepstakes? I offer a selection of Canadian contest rules and forms for random draw, skill and other common types of Canadian contests (i.e., contest precedents and forms). For more information see Canadian Contest … Read the rest of this entry »

Fraud Update: Competition Bureau Kicks Off Fraud Prevention Month

The Competition Bureau announced earlier today that it was kicking off Fraud Prevention Month with a series of panel discussions on fraud prevention across Canada that will assemble experts from law enforcement agencies, academics and business and consumer groups. In making the announcement, the Bureau … Read the rest of this entry »

Advertising Law Update: A Few Interesting Recent Developments

A few interesting advertising and marketing law developments that caught my eye today included: Canadian Transportation Agency Wraps up Consultations on Air Services Price Advertising Regulations The Canadian Transportation Agency wrapped up its public consultations on its Air Services Price Advertising Regulations on February 26th.  … Read the rest of this entry »