Google is pushing back against a request to pay approximately $370,000 in legal fees and related expenses following its unsuccessful constitutional challenge before Canada’s Competition Tribunal.
In a recent filing, the tech giant argued that it should not be required to cover the costs sought by acting Competition Commissioner Jeanne Pratt. Google maintains that its case raised important public interest issues, which should exempt it from bearing the financial burden.
To support its position, Google referenced a prior decision by the Competition Tribunal involving Visa. In that instance, the tribunal waived costs after determining that Visa had introduced a novel legal argument that helped identify gaps in existing laws and policies. Google argues that its own case similarly contributed to broader legal understanding and should be treated the same way.
However, the Competition Bureau has rejected this reasoning. The bureau insists that the costs requested are fair, necessary, and justified given the nature of the proceedings and Google’s unsuccessful challenge.
The dispute over legal expenses follows the tribunal’s dismissal of Google’s constitutional case. The company had sought to challenge allegations that it abused its dominant position in the online advertising market, claims that remain central to the bureau’s broader case against the tech giant.
The tribunal has yet to decide whether Google will be required to pay the full amount, a reduced sum, or no costs at all. The outcome could have implications for how future public interest cases are handled in Canada’s competition law framework.
