Can a company force me to buy product B as a condition of purchasing product A (tied selling)?

What the Law Says

The Competition Act prohibits tied selling when it harms competition — not every bundling or condition is illegal, but coercive tying that reduces competitive pressure is subject to review and prohibition.

Tied selling occurs when a supplier makes the sale of one product (product A) conditional on the customer also buying another product (product B), leasing it, using it, or refraining from using a competitor’s product.

Under section 77 of the Competition Act, the Competition Tribunal may make an order prohibiting tied selling — but only if it finds that the practice has had, is having, or is likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.

This is a civil (not criminal) provision: it applies to practices that harm the competitive process, not merely to unfair or aggressive business tactics. The focus is on market impact — not consumer inconvenience or fairness alone.

Statutory Text

Tribunal may prohibit exclusive dealing or tied selling that lessens competition substantially.

— Competition Act, s. 77 — Exclusive dealing, tied selling and market restriction

What to Do

Sources