Category Archives: Trade Associations

December 18, 2013

Competition & Advertising Law Events: Canadian CBA Competition Law Spring Forum (Toronto): Save the Date

The Competition Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association has announced some preliminary details for the 2014 Competition Law Spring Forum, to be held in Toronto on May 21, 2014 at the Toronto Board of Trade.  According to the CBA’s National Competition Law Section, more … Read the rest of this entry »

December 17, 2013

U.S. FTC Settlement With Associations Shows Importance of Reviewing Codes With a Critical Competition Eye, Including Advertising Restrictions

Codes of ethics are a common and ubiquitous aspect of many trade and professional associations.  A well prepared and thought out association code can achieve a number of legitimate aims, including ensuring that members adhere to the common goals and principles of the association, reducing … Read the rest of this entry »

December 5, 2013

Competition Bureau Announces First New Advocacy Initiative: Self-regulated Professions (Pharmacist Inducements in Alberta): Patient Care v. Competitive Markets

On September 10th, the Canadian Competition Bureau announced a public consultation for suggestions where it should intervene in regulated markets (i.e., where the Bureau does not have direct enforcement powers given the existence of legislation or regulations sanctioning conduct that would otherwise violate the Competition … Read the rest of this entry »

November 9, 2012

Competition Law and Associations in Canada – Presentation From the 2012 CSAE National Conference and Showcase (Ottawa)

I am attaching below a copy of our PowerPoint presentation from the recent Canadian Society of Association Executives’ (CSAE) 2012 National Conference & Showcase, held in Ottawa last week. Our presentation focused on competition law and compliance for trade and professional associations, including in relation … Read the rest of this entry »

November 4, 2012

Quebec Federation of Real Estate Boards files Competition Bureau misleading advertising complaint against for-sale-by-owner firm DuProprio

In an interesting story reported by the Montreal Gazette, the Quebec Federation of Real Estate Boards (“QFREB”) has filed a misleading advertising complaint with the Competition Bureau against the sale-by-owner real estate firm DuProprio (see also REM’s article and real estate industry commentary: QFREB files complaint against DuProprio with the Competition … Read the rest of this entry »

October 29, 2012

Upcoming Compliance Seminars: Competition Law & REALTORS: What You Say and Do Matters

I am pleased to be delivering two upcoming competition law compliance courses (Competition Law and REALTORS®) for the members of the Kamloops (November 26th) and Victoria (November 29th) real estate boards. The compliance seminars will include overviews of Canadian competition law enforcement, the Competition Bureau, … Read the rest of this entry »

October 16, 2012

Key Canadian Competition Law & Advertising Compliance Rules

I have been doing quite a bit of compliance work lately, and have been seeing a wide range of compliance by companies and associations, ranging from no compliance or guidelines whatsoever to full competition law compliance programs that follow the Competition Bureau’s recommended elements in … Read the rest of this entry »

September 25, 2012

New Trade & Professional Association Books from the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE)

The Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) is offering a number of new trade and professional association related books.  From the CSAE: “Books to help your Board, your staff, and you.  If you lead an association or not-for-profit organization, these publications will help. 

The following … Read the rest of this entry »