OTTAWA -- Canada's federal Competition Bureau has found 11 gas companies guilty of fixing prices in four regions in the eastern province of Quebec.
The alleged scheme involved 13 people from the 11 firms, most of which are small businesses, bureau commissioner Sheridan Scott told a news conference in Montreal on Thursday, citing a two-year investigation.
Three companies and some accused employees pleaded guilty at Quebec Superior Court on Thursday, and were handed out fines totaling more than 2 million Canadian dollars (2 million U.S. dollars).
Ultramar, the only major oil company implicated in the investigation, was fined 1.85 million Canadian dollars (1.85 million U.S. dollars), the largest-ever fine handed out by the bureau for price fixing.
Investigations continue into potential price-fixing on other gasoline retail markets in Canada.
The alleged scheme involved 13 people from the 11 firms, most of which are small businesses, bureau commissioner Sheridan Scott told a news conference in Montreal on Thursday, citing a two-year investigation.
Three companies and some accused employees pleaded guilty at Quebec Superior Court on Thursday, and were handed out fines totaling more than 2 million Canadian dollars (2 million U.S. dollars).
Ultramar, the only major oil company implicated in the investigation, was fined 1.85 million Canadian dollars (1.85 million U.S. dollars), the largest-ever fine handed out by the bureau for price fixing.
Investigations continue into potential price-fixing on other gasoline retail markets in Canada.
