Prentice Wants To Know If “Deeper Problem” Exists At Competition Bureau

“The judge repeatedly raises questions of propriety, not in a single occasion but I think on seven or eight occasions in the course of the judgment calls into question whether the court had been misled,” he said. “It was pretty remarkable commentary and I like all other Canadians would think it's only fair that an explanation be provided of what happened.” Mr. Prentice said he's already spoken to Competition Bureau commissioner Sheridan Scott about the Federal Court ruling and his deputy minister Richard Dicerni plans a meeting with her to talk about the review. “I am given to understand that there is a review taking place within the bureau at this point in time and my deputy will be meeting with Sheridan Scott about that: to understand the nature of the review that's being proposed and I will want to hear more about that,” he said. He refused to say what he might do if he wasn't satisfied with the results of the review. “I am not going to speculate on that. I think it's responsible to deal with this in a measured way.” Mr. Prentice, the minister responsible for the Competition Bureau, requested this probe after a Federal Court judge blasted the bureau in a ruling released Monday for providing misleading information to secure a court order during its review of Labatt Brewing Co. Ltd.'s takeover of Lakeport Brewing Income Fund. The harsh criticism levelled at the bureau by a Federal Court judge Monday is believed to be the first time a court has chastised the management of a powerful regulator that is supposed to ensure fair competition in Canadian business. The court ruling and investigation are a blow to the bureau at a time when its resources are stretched as it assesses the impact of a record flow of large and complex mergers. Businesses and legal experts have complained that the bureau often takes too long and demands too much information in its reviews. For its part, bureau officials say they have to employ tough legal tactics to get necessary information from industry players. ... http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080130.wcompbureau0130/BNStory/robNews/

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