Canada's Competition Summit 2025 Kicks Off in Ottawa with Focus on Affordability and Market Fairness

Ottawa, Ontario – Canada's Competition Summit 2025: Competition in a New Economy commenced today in Ottawa, with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, delivering the opening remarks. The annual event, hosted by the Competition Bureau of Canada, is set to explore actionable strategies aimed at creating a stronger, fairer, and more dynamic marketplace for Canadian consumers, workers, and entrepreneurs. The full-day summit, running until 4:10 p.m. EDT, is being held in Ottawa with virtual attendance available to a global audience.

Minister Joly's 'Hawkish' Stance on Affordability

In her keynote address, Minister Mélanie Joly underscored the federal government's commitment to aggressive competition policies to combat the rising cost of living. 'Let me be clear. This government will be hawkish on competition,' Joly stated, emphasizing that affordability remains a top concern for Canadians. She highlighted that expanding market competition to provide consumers with more choices offers a direct path to lower prices and better service offerings. As an example of this commitment, Minister Joly cited her August decision to uphold a regulatory ruling that enables large telecom firms to offer services using rivals' networks, a measure intended to boost competitive forces in the sector.

Empowering Consumers, Workers, and Entrepreneurs

The summit's agenda is structured around making markets more effective for all Canadians. Discussions will delve into specific challenges faced by different groups:

• Consumers: Panels will address obstacles such as high switching costs, confusing pricing structures, and digital design features that limit choice and weaken competition.
• Workers: Experts will examine practices that harm competition for workers, including unwarranted non-compete clauses, occupational licensing restrictions, and barriers to interprovincial labour mobility.
• Entrepreneurs: The summit will explore reforms to make markets more inclusive and competitive, tackling issues like regulatory barriers, private gatekeeping, and challenges in accessing financing.

Other notable speakers at the event include Carolyn Rogers, Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada, who will contribute to discussions on Canada's economic outlook and the role of increased competition.

Evolution of Canada's Competition Landscape

The Competition Summit 2025 takes place against a backdrop of significant legislative changes to Canada's Competition Act, implemented between 2022 and 2025. These amendments have strengthened the Competition Bureau's enforcement and advocacy capabilities, granting it new powers to levy heftier penalties, scrutinize mergers more closely, and compel financial documents during investigations. The Bureau's 2025-2026 annual plan outlines priorities including increased focus on sectors such as housing, artificial intelligence, and food, as well as addressing deceptive marketing practices like greenwashing and drip pricing. Furthermore, June 2025 marks the expansion of private enforcement rights, allowing private parties to bring actions under civil misleading advertising and competitor collaboration provisions. The Bureau recently initiated a market study into barriers faced by small- and medium-sized businesses in accessing financing.

The summit aims to leverage these new tools and insights to foster a more competitive and resilient Canadian economy, ensuring that markets truly work for the benefit of all citizens.