GATINEAU, QC, April 25,
2024 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau announced today
that it has entered into a consent agreement with the Yukon Real
Estate Association (YREA) to address concerns with its membership
practices in the real estate sector.
A Bureau investigation found that the YREA engaged in
anti-competitive conduct by adopting a requirement that certain
prospective members must live in the Yukon for a year before they can become a
member of the YREA.
The Bureau concluded that the YREA's conduct was contrary to the
abuse of dominance provisions of the Competition Act.
Implementing and enforcing a residency requirement creates barriers
to new forms of competition, especially for services offering
consumers choices and fee structures that differ from traditional
full-service real estate brokerage services.
As part of this agreement, the YREA will not adopt or
enforce residency requirements and will ensure non-discriminatory
access to the market for future competitors.
The Bureau acknowledges the YREA's cooperation during its
investigation.
The Bureau also recently signed a consent agreement with
the Northwest Territories Association of Realtors addressing
similar conduct.
Quotes:
"Competition in the real estate sector is of critical importance
to Canadians. It stimulates innovation, lowers prices and improves
the consumer experience. Protecting competition in the real estate
sector remains a top priority for the Competition Bureau."
Matthew Boswell,
Commissioner of Competition
Quick
facts
- The Yukon Real Estate Association is a trade association that
represents real estate agents and salespeople in the Yukon. The association provides its members
with access to the Multiple Listing Service.
- The Multiple Listing Service is used by members as part of
their brokerage's services and is not accessible to the
public.
- Abuse of dominance occurs when a dominant business (or group of
businesses) engages in activity that stops or substantially reduces
competition in a market or engages in acts with an anti-competitive
purpose.
- Consent agreements generally contain remedial measures that the
Competition Bureau deem appropriate to address the impact of
conduct that contravenes the abuse of dominance or other provisions
of the Competition Act.
- The Bureau encourages anyone who suspects an individual or a
business of engaging in anti-competitive activities to report it by
using its online form.
Related products
- Registered consent agreement between the Competition Bureau and
the Yukon Real Estate Association
- Abuse of Dominance Enforcement Guidelines
Associated links
- Abuse of dominance and the Competition Act
- Competition Bureau Statement regarding agreement to protect
real estate competition in the Northwest
Territories
- Information Bulletin on the Communication of Confidential
Information Under the Competition Act
Contacts
For general enquiries, please contact:
www.competitionbureau.gc.ca
Enquiries/Complaints
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The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency
that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian
consumers and businesses. Competition drives lower prices and
innovation while fueling economic growth.
SOURCE Competition Bureau