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Two of the world’s largest chocolate companies are among those facing criminal charges for allegedly conspiring to fix the price of chocolatey treats across Canada.

The charges, laid Thursday, come six years after Canada’s Competition Bureau launched an investigation into the allegations, and found evidence suggesting that a price-fixing cartel collaborated, agreed or arranged to set the prices of chocolate products.

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Criminal charges have been laid against candy makers Nestlé Canada Inc. and Mars Canada Inc., and ITWAL Limited, a national network of independent wholesale distributors, after the competition bureau referred its evidence to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

Price-fixing is a serious criminal offence and today’s charges demonstrate the competition bureau’s resolve to stop cartel activity in Canada

“We are fully committed to pursuing those who engage in egregious, anti-competitive behaviour that harms Canadian consumers,” said John Pecman, interim commissioner of competition, in a statement. “Price-fixing is a serious criminal offence and today’s charges demonstrate the competition bureau’s resolve to stop cartel activity in Canada.”