News Summary

The Competition Bureau of Canada is inviting public feedback on the use of algorithmic pricing. This consultation is part of a broader effort to understand how algorithms are employed in various markets, including hospitality, concerts, and ridesharing, to set or recommend prices. The bureau’s paper, “Algorithmic Pricing and Competition,” outlines the potential benefits and risks of this practice, such as facilitating consumer choice or consolidating market power. The agency is particularly interested in understanding the prevalence of algorithmic pricing in Canada, the sources of data for these algorithms, and the implications for market competition and consumer choice. Feedback is being collected until July 22, 2025. The bureau’s recent activities include lawsuits against companies like Cineplex and DoorDash for deceptive pricing practices. Additionally, the bureau is investigating the use of AI in setting rental prices in the Canadian real estate market.