Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ANTITRUST NEWS: Canada Competition Bureau and Market Surveillance Administrator of Alberta announce increased cooperation, (Mar 4, 2014)

The Canada Competition Bureau and the Market Surveillance Administrator of Alberta (MSA) announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) calling for continued and more defined cooperation between the two agencies.

Both the Bureau and the MSA play an important role in ensuring that Alberta energy markets remain competitive. The MOU will assist the agencies in carrying their respective roles by establishing a framework for information sharing, enforcement cooperation and collaboration in matters of mutual interest, the Competition Board said.

In the MOU, the agencies acknowledge their important ongoing relationship and recognize that continued cooperation can contribute to improved delivery of each of the agencies respective mandates. The memorandum can also assist stakeholders by minimizing regulatory burden where the agencies’ mandates overlap.

“The signing of this MOU will reinforce our already strong working relationship with the MSA,” said John Pecman, Commissioner of Competition. “It will allow us to strengthen our level of cooperation and streamline and align our reviews, where appropriate. We look forward to working with the MSA to promote confidence in, and increase compliance with, competition law in Alberta energy markets.”

Harry Chandler, Market Surveillance Administrator added, “Closer ties between the MSA and the Bureau will mean greater clarity and predictability in our shared responsibilities for promoting competition in Alberta’s energy markets, to the benefit of all stakeholders.”

The Bureau and the MSA each have competition oversight responsibilities in Alberta electricity and natural gas markets. The Competition Bureau, an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace. The MSA is an independent public agency established by the Government of Alberta with the responsibility to protect and promote the fair, efficient and openly competitive operation of Alberta’s wholesale electricity market and its retail electricity and natural gas markets.

News: Antitrust