OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 26, 2012) - The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, Minister of State (Agriculture) and Minister responsible for the Competition Bureau, today announced the appointment of John Pecman as the interim Commissioner of Competition for up to a one-year term.

"With nearly 30 years of experience at the Bureau, Mr. Pecman has a keen understanding of competition law and marketplace conduct," said Minister Paradis. "I welcome him to his new role in helping protect Canadian consumers and enforcing fair business practices."

Mr. Pecman has been with the Competition Bureau since 1984. He has worked in every enforcement branch of the Bureau and in a variety of increasingly senior investigator and manager positions. Since 2008, Mr. Pecman has held the position of Senior Deputy Commissioner of Competition of the Criminal Matters Branch, where he was responsible for enforcing the price-fixing and bid-rigging provisions of the Competition Act.

As Senior Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Pecman oversaw the Bureau's role in the retail gasoline cartel investigations in Ontario and Quebec. Under his leadership, the Criminal Matters Branch also works closely with foreign competition authorities in the enforcement of multi-jurisdictional cartel cases.

Mr. Pecman is an economist and holds a Master of Arts from McMaster University.

Competition Bureau Canada is an independent law enforcement agency that contributes to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and informed consumer choice. For more information, visit the Competition Bureau website (www.competitionbureau.gc.ca).