Competition Tribunal orders Google to pay more than $358,000 in watchdog's costs

External view of the Google building in Chelsea on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Kena Betancur)

Google has been ordered to cover about $358,000 in fees the competition commissioner amassed when successfully fighting the tech giant on a constitutional challenge.

The Competition Tribunal said the amount reflects that the work required was both important and complex.

Google will now have to pay more than $277,600 to cover expert fees, $54,000 for legal fees and about $26,600 for transcripts and printing.

The money is a small win in a bigger battle the Competition Tribunal has been waging against Google in hopes of proving the tech giant stifled competition with its dominant position in the online advertising market.

Google has rejected the commissioner’s position, claiming it has many rivals that keep competition flourishing.

Google’s failed constitutional challenge took aim at a $91 billion penalty the company could have to pay if the tribunal eventually determines the tech firm abused its dominant position.

Google argued that amount is so big it would violate the company’s constitutional rights, which the bureau disputed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2026.

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press