CanadaCan a supplier refuse to sell to me if I'm an established business with a legitimate need for their product?
Yes, a supplier can usually refuse to sell to you — but if the refusal is anti-competitive and substantially affects your business, the Competition Tribunal may order them to supply you under section 75 of the Competition Act.
What the Law Says
The Competition Act sets narrow limits on when a supplier’s refusal to deal can be legally challenged in Canada.
Under Canadian law, businesses generally have the right to choose their customers — including refusing to sell to established businesses — unless that refusal meets strict legal criteria.
Section 75 of the Competition Act allows the Competition Tribunal to intervene only if a supplier’s refusal to deal is likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially, and has caused or is likely to cause substantial harm to the complaining business.
This is not a general right to supply: the law does not protect buyers simply because they want or need a product. It protects competition itself — and only where the refusal threatens competitive harm in the broader market.
Statutory TextTribunal may order a supplier to accept a person as a customer on usual trade terms where refusal substantially affects business.
— Competition Act, s. 75 — Refusal to deal
What to Do
Assess whether the refusal is part of a broader pattern aimed at excluding competitors or controlling prices.
Gather evidence showing how the refusal has substantially harmed your business (e.g., lost sales, inability to serve customers, increased costs).
File an application with the Competition Tribunal — typically after consulting a lawyer experienced in competition law.
Note: The Competition Bureau does not directly order remedies; only the Tribunal can issue orders under s. 75.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.