Competition Bureau Participates in Boiler-Room Takedown

OTTAWA, June 13, 2003 — A Toronto Strategic Partnership investigation has led to Competition Act and Criminal Code charges against individuals allegedly involved in a telemarketing operation that misled businesses into donating money for advertising space in fraudulent magazines devoted to police, fire safety and children's issues.

As part of its commitment to the Partnership, the Competition Bureau currently provides the Toronto Police Service with one full-time competition law officer to assist police with deceptive marketing investigations under the Competition Act and the Criminal Code.

The Bureau is one of the founding members of the Toronto Strategic Partnership, which also includes the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, the Ontario Provincial Police, PhoneBusters National Call Centre, the Toronto Police Service, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

A backgrounder on the Toronto Strategic Partnership is available on the Bureau's Web site at: The Toronto Strategic Partnership.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency which ensures that all Canadians enjoy the benefits of a competitive economy. 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