Annual Plan: Competition Priorities for Affordability and Choice

Competition Bureau Canada

Published April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 3rd, 2026

Summary

The Competition Bureau Canada released its 2026-2027 Annual Plan outlining enforcement priorities focused on anti-competitive conduct, mergers affecting essential household costs (food and housing), and deceptive marketing practices. The plan signals increased scrutiny of hidden costs and barriers to competition, particularly in sectors impacting Canadian household affordability.

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What changed

The Competition Bureau Canada published its 2026-2027 Annual Plan establishing three key enforcement priorities: (1) investigating anti-competitive conduct and mergers that raise costs or limit consumer choice in essential household sectors including food and housing; (2) cracking down on deceptive marketing practices that impose hidden costs on consumers; and (3) encouraging all levels of government to adopt pro-competitive policies that remove barriers to entry and expansion for new competitors.

While this annual plan does not create immediate compliance obligations, it signals the Bureau's enforcement direction for the fiscal year. Businesses engaged in mergers, particularly those in food, housing, and consumer-facing sectors, should review their practices for potential anti-competitive concerns and ensure marketing claims are not deceptive. Companies should also monitor for increased enforcement activity and potential regulatory scrutiny in the named priority areas.

Source document (simplified)

Competition Bureau to focus on improving affordability and choice in 2026-2027

From: Competition Bureau Canada

News release

The Competition Bureau has published its 2026-2027 Annual Plan – Advancing Competition to Improve Affordability and Choice.

April 2, 2026 – GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau has published its 2026-2027 Annual Plan – Advancing Competition to Improve Affordability and Choice.

As Canada continues to adapt to global changes, competition is more important than ever in protecting consumers, driving affordability, and making our economy as resilient as possible.

In 2026-2027, we will:

Prioritize investigations of anti-competitive conduct and mergers that raise costs or limit choice for Canadians, including sectors affecting essential household expenses, such as food and housing;
Continue to crack down on deceptive marketing practices to reduce hidden costs and empower Canadians to make more affordable choices;
Encourage all levels of government to adopt pro-competitive policies that drive economic growth, with a focus on removing barriers to entry and expansion for new competitors, and expanding choice for all Canadians.
These efforts will advance our Strategic Vision to be a world-leading competition agency that is at the forefront of the digital economy and champions a culture of competition for Canada.

Quotes

"Canadians deserve competitive markets that give them lower prices and more choices. In the year ahead, the Competition Bureau will take meaningful action to address practices that undermine competition and affordability, so that consumers see real benefits in their daily lives.”

Jeanne Pratt
Interim Commissioner of Competition

Associated links

Contacts

Media inquiries: Media Relations
Email: media-cb-bc@cb-bc.gc.ca

General information: Request for information | Complaint form

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices and innovation while fueling economic growth.