Competition
Bureau spokeswoman Marie-France Faucher said the bureau is "conducting
searches related to a criminal investigation into allegations of
anti-competitive conduct contrary to the conspiracy provision of the
Competition Act."
The Ontario
Superior Court granted search warrants based on evidence that there are
reasonable grounds to believe some individuals and companies have engaged in
anti-competitive activities, she said.
"Bureau
officers are conducting searches and are gathering evidence to determine the
facts," she said. "There is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time
and no charges have been laid."
Loblaw Cos.
Ltd., Metro Inc. and Wal-Mart Canada Corp. issued news releases acknowledging
their offices have been searched.
Loblaws is a
sister company to Canada Bread, both controlled by the Weston Group, and Grupo
Bimbo of Mexico is its main competitor after buying the bakery division of
Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
The Bureau of Competition Policy might find it easier to substantiate price-fixing in the egg industry in Ontario, including a judge's comments in a court case and electronic records under court seal in a major lawsuit.
