De Beceem compton Bons Commissar do Commision ot “Tobcopieur Facile concurence ‘Cempetaen (erojeseaors Pace du Portage! Place Portage | Telépone Telephone 50, we Veto 50 veto Groot (ersjasr aso Gatineau (Gusbes) ‘Gare, Qucbec Kraoes Kiaoco December 6,2018 ‘The Honourable Greg Rickford Minister of Energy, Nozthern Development and Mines 4" Floor, Hearst Block 900 Bay Stet Toronto (Ostario) MTA 261 Gasoline Prices in Northwestern Ontar Dear Minister Rickford: ‘Thark you for your leter of November 30, 2018, concerning retail gasoline prices in nomthwestera Ontario, Thank you, as well, for including recent data with respect to wholesale land retail gisoline prices and margins in Thunder Bay. I share your concerns and recognize that ‘gasoline prices are an important issue for many Canadians. ‘The Competition Act includes provisions agains price-fixing, competitor collaboration, price maintenance and abuse of dominant position. All ofthese provisions can apply tothe retail gasoline market and to other petroleum product markets. Cracking down on anti-competitive conduct in the gasoline sector remains a priority for the Bureau. We take action if we find evidence of conduct tht is prohibited by the Competiron ‘Act. Since 2008, 3 individuals and 12 companies have pleaded or been found guilty of fixing the price of gasoline in several markets in Ontario and Quebec, with fines totalling more than $6 ‘million and conditional sentences of imprisonment for individuals. ‘Consistent with our evidence-based approach, we are taking further steps to examine the situation innorthwestem Ontario. In addition to contidering the information that you have provided, we are gathering data on gasoline pricing practices in northwestern Ontario and we ‘will be contacting industry participants for more information, where appropriate n Canadi‘Should you wish to discuss this mater further, my Chief of Staff, Morgan Currie, would ‘be pleased to arrange a meeting. He may be reached at (819) 997-5222 or by email at moigan currie@ canada ca, “Thankyou for rising this ie with me ‘Yours truly, PEE Mathew Boswell Inirim Commissioner of Competition ‘The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Jennifer Stewart, Canadian Independent Petroleum Marketers Association Peter Boag, Canadian Fuels Association Rich Kruger, Imperial Oil Michael Crothers, Shell Canada ‘Steven Williams, Suncor Energy Rohest I Peahoriy, Husky Energy Stephen Wetmore, Canadian Tire Corporation Dusty MacDonald, Federated Co-operatives Limited