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CCCA_V7No4_CompetitionLaw-FIN_CCCA 13-11-25 12:57 PM Page 35 John Pecman: Feature Interview with the Commissioner of Competition CCCA magazine caught up with John Pecman at the 2013 Competition Law Fall Conference, presented by the National Competition Law Section of the CBA. Senior editor Yves Faguy asked him about the Bureau’s enforcement and advocacy priorities, as well as his views on some tough losses before the courts. CCCA: How do you explain the changes in perception about car- ourselves to pursue jail time. And that just crystallized the think- tel offences and white collar crime in Canada? ing of the business community and the legal community that this Pecman: I think the sea change emanates from the significant is a serious crime. […] Also with respect to our leniency program legislative amendments that took place in 2010 dealing with the if you’re not the first leniency applicant [as an] individual you will cartel and mass marketing fraud provisions when the statutory have exposure, then liability and potentially face jail time as well. maximum jail time for individuals was increased from five years This has, again, sharpened people’s minds about the need to to 14 years, signalling Parliament’s intention for agencies such as have corporate compliance programs in place. HIVER 2013 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 35