Atlantic Partnership – Combatting Cross-Border Fraud

FREDERICTON, May 18, 2005 – The Competition Bureau has partnered with law enforcement agencies and prosecution services in Atlantic Canada and the United States to tackle the problem of cross-border fraud. The Atlantic Partnership – Combatting Cross-Border Fraud met in Fredericton today for the official signing of their Memorandum of Understanding and to outline details of this international partnership with the media.

The goal of this partnership is to work together to effectively reduce, identify, investigate and prosecute deceptive marketing practices and fraudulent criminal activities originating from the Atlantic region and targeting American consumers or from the U.S. and targeting Atlantic Canadians.

Stopping cross-border fraud and bringing those responsible to justice is a priority for the Competition Bureau. The Bureau participates in other regionally focussed partnerships across Canada, including the Toronto Strategic Partnership, the Alberta Partnership Against Cross-Border Fraud, the Vancouver Strategic Alliance, Project Emptor and Project Colt.

Atlantic Partnership – Combatting Cross-Border Fraud partners:

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
Competition Bureau
819-953-8982 / 613-296-2187 (cell)

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
819-997-4282 / 1-800-348-5358