Horizontal agreements

A horizontal agreement is an agreement between competitors at the same level of the market, such as two suppliers or two retailers. Many are lawful, including legitimate joint ventures and joint purchasing. The most serious kinds, such as fixing prices, allocating markets or customers, or restricting output, are criminal offences in Canada.

How BC law treats it

Competition law is federal under the Competition Act, RSC 1985 c C-34, enforced by the Competition Bureau. Hardcore cartel agreements, including wage fixing and no poach agreements since June 2023, are criminal under s. 45, bid rigging under s. 47, and other competitor collaborations are reviewable civilly under s. 90.1 only where they substantially lessen or prevent competition.

What it means for your business

A BC business should be careful about any discussion with competitors on prices, customers, territories, wages or hiring.

Risks and common mistakes

Putting a price or market sharing arrangement in writing does not make it lawful; the document becomes evidence of the offence.

For the full explanation, see our entry on Competition law.

General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.