Canada's Antitrust Regulator Sues Cineplex Over Alleged Misleading Ticket Prices
Canada's Antitrust Regulator Sues Cineplex Over Alleged Misleading Ticket Prices
In a lawsuit filed by the Canadian Competition Regulator, Cineplex Inc. is accused of advertising movie tickets at a lower price than many consumers actually are forced to pay for them, as a result of price advertising.
The Commissioner of Competition Mathew Boswell, in his statement said, “We’re taking action against Cineplex because misleading tactics like drip pricing only serve to deceive and harm consumers.”
Cineplex was said to have violated the law by introducing an additional fee that increased the price of its tickets purchased online, alleged the Competition Bureau of Canada.
The Bureau said Cineplex introduced the online booking fee in June 2022 and it has generated significant revenue for the company.
“We are disappointed by the statements made by the Competition Bureau today before the matter has been reviewed and decided upon by the Tribunal….Our online booking fee is not misleading and fully complies with the spirit and letter of the law,” Cineplex said in a statement in response to the regulator.
The chain of cinemas said it would be seeking an early decision and expected the suit to be dismissed by the Courts as it had ‘no merit’ and lacked the necessary legal grounds.
