Better Safe Than Sorry, Eh? Competition Law 101 for Small & Medium-Sized Businesses

Description

Competition law might not be something most small business owners think about day-to-day — but it should be. From pricing practices to marketing claims to how you collaborate with peers, competition law directly affects how you operate.

The Whistler Chamber will be hosting the Competition Bureau of Canada, to break down the essentials in a clear, practical, and relevant way for Whistler’s small and medium-sized businesses. You’ll understand what the law covers, how it applies to your business, and what simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

Whether you're running a retail shop, restaurant, service business, or emerging startup, this session will give you the confidence to make informed, compliant decisions.

Key Takeaways

✔ Understand the basics of the Competition Act and how it shapes everyday business behaviour
✔ Learn to spot common compliance risks like deceptive marketing, bid-rigging, and abuse of dominance
✔ See how the Competition Bureau protects competition in Canada—and why it matters to you
✔ Gain practical guidance on building a simple compliance program
✔ Explore free tools and resources through the Bureau’s Compliance Hub

What to Expect

• Clear explanations of key concepts with real-world examples
• Practical insights on how competition law applies to small businesses
• Interactive scenarios to help you recognize compliance risks
• Q&A time to address your business-specific questions

Workshop Content Overview

• Introduction to the Competition Bureau and its mandate
• Overview of the Competition Act, with relatable examples
• The Bureau’s advocacy work and how it supports competitive markets
• How to build an effective, practical compliance program
• Free tools and resources available to small and medium-sized businesses
• Open Q&A

About the Facilitator: Amy Hill

Amy Hill is a Senior Competition Law Officer in the Competition Bureau’s Compliance and Outreach Unit, based out of the Vancouver Regional Office. She supports businesses of all sizes in understanding the Competition Act, and has contributed to both high-profile investigations and policy work aimed at strengthening competition in Canada.

Amy has testified before Parliamentary Committee, is a published author, and holds a Law Degree and Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University, as well as a Bachelor of Economics with Distinction from the University of Victoria. She is a licensed lawyer with the Law Society of Ontario.