Greenwashing and Drip-Pricing Under Fire: Understanding the Latest Changes to Canada’s Competition Act
Canada's media landscape is both dynamic and highly regulated, with a robust framework governing advertising and marketing practices in the country’s two official languages: English and French. Prioritizing transparency, accuracy, and consumer protection, the industry is monitored by various federal and provincial bodies alongside a national self-regulatory organization. These entities enforce standards across multiple platforms, from traditional outlets like television, radio, and print to digital media, packaging, and beyond. As social media and digital innovations such as artificial intelligence continue to evolve, regulators face new challenges, prompting attentive oversights and frequent updates to regulations.
Building on their insights from last year, McCarthy Tétrault’s experts from the Retail & Consumer Markets, International Trade & Investment, and Antitrust & Foreign Investment groups offer an updated take on advertising and marketing laws in Canada in the 2nd Edition of The Legal 500: Advertising & Marketing Comparative Guide.
As environmental issues and transparent marketing become top priorities for consumers, the Canada chapter serves as a vital resource for businesses looking to manage risk, stay competitive, and build consumer trust. The chapter discusses:
- Amendments to Canada's Competition Act regarding drip pricing: the act of revealing hidden fees late in the purchasing process
- The Competition Bureau’s new greenwashing regulations targeting false or misleading environmental claims
- Increased penalties and the ability for private parties to file claims for deceptive marketing
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency investigations into environmental claims and labelling in the food industry
- Updated guidelines and recommendations for businesses to adopt transparent pricing practices, evidentiary claims, and engage in frequent internal oversight
The full guide is available on The Legal 500’s website.
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