On 12 April 2016, the Chairs of the NZ Commerce Commission (NZCC) and the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) signed a mutual cooperation arrangement (the Arrangement). This step is in keeping with a similar arrangement between the NZCC and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, concluded in 2013.
The purpose of the Arrangement is to facilitate cooperation in relation to competition issues affecting both agencies. Under the Arrangement, the NZCC may share confidential information and “compulsorily acquired information” with the CCB. It may also use its statutory powers to gather information, in order to assist CCB investigations.
Information sharing under the Arrangement operates by written request. A requesting party must provide its reasons for seeking information. Parties can impose conditions on the information disclosed. The basis of a request is that the relevant information will, or may, assist the requesting organisation in performing duties or exercising powers.