The Competition Bureau says it will not appeal a tribunal decision to dismiss a bureau complaint that accused Visa and MasterCard of exerting too much power in forcing merchants to accept credit cards that carry higher fees.
Instead, Commissioner of Competition John Pecman says the agency, which enforces the Competition Act and other laws that regulate business and marketing practices, will focus its efforts on finding other ways to address competition issues in the supply of credit card services in Canada.
The Competition Tribunal, a quasi-judicial body that rules on matters brought forward by the bureau, sided with Visa and MasterCard in a ruling in July that found the card companies did not violate the Competition Act.
Canadian Press – September 30, 2013.