Competition Bureau, Vancouver Police Department and Federal Trade Commission Create Vancouver Strategic Alliance to Combat Deceptive Marketing Practices

OTTAWA, June 2, 2004 – The Competition Bureau, Vancouver Police Department and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission have announced the creation of the Vancouver Strategic Alliance, a joint partnership to fight deceptive marketing practices targeting citizens and businesses.

The purpose of this joint venture is to coordinate law enforcement activities, identify fraudulent, deceptive and misleading practices with a British Columbia connection, facilitate information sharing and support action against individuals or groups engaging in these deceptive practices on a cross-border basis.

Along with other law enforcement partnerships and projects initiated across the country to combat scams and deception, the Vancouver Strategic Alliance extends the benefits of cooperation throughout British Columbia and beyond.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Maureen McGrath
Senior Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
(819) 953-8982, or (613) 296-2187 (cell)

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
1-800-348-5358