Agriculture committee  Thank you for the question. I can understand where you're coming from in terms of the length of time this investigation has taken, but I can confirm that this is a very active investigation. We continue to investigate all aspects of this case. It is a very complex case. There are multiple parties involved.

Agriculture committee  Again, the investigation is quite complex. There isn't a set time period that I can point to in terms of how long these investigations take. They are really fact-specific. They really depend on how many parties are involved and the length of time of the alleged conspiracy. In this particular case, we've executed 24 search warrants over that period of time.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Maybe I'll start by explaining our confidentiality provisions. We do have strict confidentiality provisions, under section 29, that limit the disclosure of information, except for instances of sharing with Canadian law enforcement agencies or for the administration and enforcement of the act.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We're not under an obligation, no, but we do inform them in certain circumstances, depending on the case or what provision of the act we're investigating. It also gives them an opportunity perhaps to resolve their liability. That's with respect to targets. In terms of the public, if our investigation results in a prosecution or a civil proceeding, then the matter becomes public, becomes on the public record, and in most instances we will issue a press release.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Sure. The Commissioner of Competition investigates anti-competitive conduct under the act, both civil and criminal. Under the criminal provisions, once the commissioner has developed a case, that evidence will be referred to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, the DPP, who will take the decision to prosecute.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Along the way, through our investigations, they will provide prosecutorial advice. But ultimately, in the end it's their decision as to whether they will lay charges, whether they will proceed with a prosecution. We will make recommendations—we can make recommendations on sentencing, we can make recommendations on granting immunity or leniency—but ultimately it's their decision in the end.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, I don't have anything more to add to Mr. Bilodeau's opening statement. Thank you.