Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ANTITRUST NEWS: Gasoline retailer fined $1 million for participating in Quebec price fixing conspiracy, (Apr 20, 2015)
Organizations Mentioned:Les Pétroles Global Inc.
By Michael Menzhuber, J.D., LL.M.
Canada gasoline retailer Les Pétroles Global Inc. has been fined CAD $1 million by the Quebec Superior Court in Sherbrooke for its role in fixing the price of retail gasoline in Victoriaville, Sherbrooke and Magog, Quebec, the Canada Competition Bureau announced. Les Pétroles Global Inc. had been found guilty of price-fixing in August 2013.
The case against Les Pétroles Global Inc. was part of a Canada Competition Bureau investigation into a gasoline price-fixing conspiracy in in four local markets in Quebec, which resulted in charges being brought against 39 individuals and 15 companies in 2008, 2010, and 2012. In addition, four companies pleaded guilty in 2012 to fixing the price of gasoline in three local markets in Ontario.
To date, 33 individuals and eight companies have pleaded or were found guilty, with fines totaling over $4 million. Six of these individuals have also been sentenced to terms of imprisonment totaling 54 months.
“Pursuing those who fix prices is a top priority for the Bureau,” said John Pecman, Commissioner of the Canada Competition Bureau. “This fine demonstrates that the risks and penalties of not complying with the law can be very damaging."
Companies: Les Pétroles Global Inc.
News: Antitrust