Bill C-59 amending the Competition Act
The Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, also known as Bill C-59 was first introduced by the federal government in November 2023, passed without amendments on June 19, 2024, and received Royal Assent on June 20, 2024. Among other things, Bill C-59 explicitly prohibits “drip pricing” by amending the Competition Act, meaning businesses are now required to clearly disclose all fees and charges upfront when advertising a price, with the only allowable exclusions being mandatory government-imposed fees like sales tax.
With Bill C-59 now law, the Container Recycling Fee (CRF) should be included in the “headline price” on the price tag at the shelves. Deposits are not impacted by Bill C-59.
Encorp is encouraging all retailers to consult their own legal counsel on the requirements of Bill C-59 to ensure compliance.