Alberta power company at centre of price-fixing allegations

CBC
24 Nov 2000

EDMONTON - Premier Klein defended his government's deregulation policy in the legislature on Thursday in the face of reports that an Alberta-based power company is being investigated for electricity price fixing.

Federal competition bureau investigating Calgary-based Enron Canada and a B.C. company over allegations of price fixing

Enron Canada, which operates out of Calgary, is being investigated by the federal competition bureau. It's alleged that Enron and and a B.C. based company called Powerex, co-ordinated bids to drive up the price of electricity on the power pool of Alberta.

The Alberta Liberals say Premier Klein is to blame for deregulating the electricity market.

Klein says the investigation has nothing to do with deregulation.

"This has nothing to do with the government of Alberta," says Klein. "This has something to do with two corporations, two corporations who happen to be in the power business."

A spokesperson for Enron Canada confirms the company's Calgary office was searched by the competition bureau. No charges have been laid.

Officials with the federal competition bureau are refusing to reveal the status of the investigation.

Written by CBC News Online staff