The Competition Bureau has released its 2026-2027 annual plan, which will address conduct that limits choices for Canadian consumers and barriers to entry and expansion.
In the plan entitled “2026-2027 Annual Plan – Advancing Competition to Improve Affordability and Choice,” the bureau outlined three strategic prioritied for the upcoming year. First, it will prioritize investigations into anti-competitive conduct and mergers boosting costs or restricting Canadians’ choices, including those in sectors impacting necessary household expenses. Such sectors cover food and housing.
The enhanced Competition Act will be applied in tackling anti-competitive activity. The bureau will be prepared to bring matters to court and utilize available measures to drive timely and decisive action.
The Competition Bureau will cement its enforcement guidelines to match modern laws. Moreover, it will finish a consultation to determine the adequacy of funding for the merger review program.
Second, the Competition Bureau will restrict deceptive marketing practices, cutting hidden costs and improving affordability. Third, it will urge all levels of government to implement pro-competitive policies to bolster economic growth. In particular, it will concentrate on eliminating entry and expansion barriers for new competitors to boost choice.
The bureau will utilize targeted enforcement and outreach in teaching consumers and businesses to differentiate between “Made in Canada” and “Product of Canada.” It will also concentrate on sectors underpinning economic productivity and innovation, like digital services, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, financial services, health, and infrastructure.
The Competition Bureau will also back effectively using private access to the Competition Tribunal through case tracking and intervention in crucial legal issues.
“Canadians deserve competitive markets that give them lower prices and more choices. In the year ahead, the Competition Bureau will take meaningful action to address practices that undermine competition and affordability, so that consumers see real benefits in their daily lives,” said Jeanne Pratt, interim competition commissioner, in a statement.
The Competition Bureau said it hoped to see policymakers and regulators at all levels of government enhancing their consideration of competition in the design, evaluation, and reform of regulations and policies.
The bureau’s other areas of action include engaging stakeholders for informed public discussion, finishing a market study report on competition for financing between small and medium enterprises, and launching studies into emerging issues in the Canadian economy. The body also aims to continue prioritizing staff health and safety.