Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It is essential that the committee understand that these amendments are designed to make markets work better and to protect the legitimate interests of consumers and suppliers in open markets. The practices that are being deterred involve conduct that subverts the operation of a competitive market and prevents the existence of an informed market of consumers, as well as the ability of suppliers to challenge dominant players with new products and services.
When some of these changes were brought forward in Bill C-19 in 2005, there were some vociferous protests from some of the larger business players concerning the potential burdens that could be imposed upon them. If a protest occurs again, it's important that these submissions be adjudicated on their merits, not on the basis that they represent the views of all non-governmental stakeholders.
For example, you won't be hearing from the independent business person who has used the family assets to finance a new business, only to see it crushed by the actions of suppliers of the new business instigated by a market incumbent. You may read about a scam luring shoppers to purchase a wonder product that is misrepresented and misdescribed, but the pensioner who has cut back on necessities because she fell for the scam won't be here to tell you that, as some have suggested. What happened to her is an acceptable risk that allows for more creative advertising to take place. And you won't hear from parties who complain about increases to maximum penalties, that the existence of dollar amounts sufficiently robust to deter the largest of businesses from breaching the act will probably prevent more bureau files from being opened because of business self-policing to avoid such sanctions.
But it is of the highest importance that you understand that deterring anti-competitive conduct, as proposed here, is not the heavy hand of government in operation; instead, it is supportive of open markets and less regulation. The fact is that a lot of money can be made by misleading the public or unfairly stacking the deck against competitors. Unless you have the tools at hand, as this act promises, to prevent such conduct from being rewarded, you are allowing three unfortunate things to happen: you are preventing informed choice and possible innovation, you are enabling inefficiency in the delivery of that product and service, and you are ensuring that incumbents have little incentive to become more productive.
As a final matter, Dr. Bose will address a small amendment of concern to Quebec consumer organizations.