Consent agreements—they become orders of the tribunal—are negotiated settlements between the commissioner and the targets of our investigations. We assess the evidence in each case, and within the Competition Act we have criminal and civil provisions. For example, where we have conduct that suggests a knowing or reckless behaviour, then in that context, we will refer the matter over to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for criminal prosecution.
Where we see the evidence before us is of the nature that can be resolved through a consensual process, through a consent agreement, which is registered, which entrenches a court order before the tribunal or the courts, we will endeavour to do that. In fact, our preference is to utilize alternative case resolution to the maximum extent possible before engaging in full-blown litigation, whether it's within civil contexts or the criminal courts.