TORONTO - Canada's federal competition watchdog says a letter from the Canadian Real Estate Association will not affect the bureau's legal pursuit to strike down industry rules it calls "anti-competitive."
A spokesman says the bureau received a letter from CREA on Thursday asking Competition Commissioner Melanie Aitken to stop speaking to the media about the case.
The letter accuses Aitken of damaging the reputation of realtors in suggesting the industry is anti-competitive.
The bureau earlier rejected CREA's moves aimed at loosening restrictions on its popular multiple listing service, saying they did not go far enough.
The Competition Bureau is awaiting a response from CREA today to a Competition Tribunal application the bureau filed in February to strike down rules it says restrict consumer choice.
The official says the bureau is open to negotiations if CREA presents a new proposal to amend a clause it feels gives the association "a blank cheque" to impose new anti-competitive rules.
He adds that without a new proposal that addresses the bureau's remaining concerns, a decision from the tribunal is necessary to achieve a lasting solution.
