Mars Canada can heave a sigh of relief as alleged price fixing charges against the candy distributor have been dropped by Canada’s competition watchdog.
The Crown prosecutors had stayed the charges levelled in 2013 against Mars Canada Inc, wholesale distributor ITWAL Ltd, former Nestlé Canada confectionery president Sandra Martinez and ITWAL president and CEO David Glenn Stevens.
However, the criminal charges levelled against Nestlé Canada and its former chief executive officer Robert (Bob) Leonidas, continued, stated the watchdog.
Martinez lawyer Symon Zucker was quioted by The Globe and Mail as saying that they would take another two months to review on whether to go ahead against the remaining two defendants.
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has not stated why the charges have been dropped.
Nestlé allegedly joined other major rivals in Canada in fixing price increases ranging from 4%to 8%. This collusion came to light in 2007 when Competition Bureau conducted raids on the Canadian offices of Nestlé, Hershey, Mars and ITWAL.
Cadbury Adams Canada approached the bureau with the allegations and therefore, was given immunity from prosecution.
