John Pecman is a Senior Business Advisor in the Competition, Marketing and Foreign Investment group at Fasken. He served as a Commissioner of Competition at the Competition Bureau Canada from June 2013 until May 2018. Having served at the Bureau as an investigator, manager and executive, Pecman’s career spanned over 35 years in the public service.
Under Pecman’s leadership, the Bureau worked to preserve and enhance competition in many areas of the Canadian economy, including the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, telecommunication, digital and retail sectors. During his time at the Bureau, John lead a restructuring of the organization as well as advanced guidance on business Corporate Compliance Programs and improved Bureau transparency to promote a more efficient and responsive agency, and better inform Canadians about its work.
As Commissioner, Pecman was a member of the executive bodies of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Competition Committee and the International Competition Network (ICN). He also served as ICN-OECD Liaison to ensure coordination of the work by these two international bodies. Currently, John is a Non-Governmental Advisor to the ICN, a member Business at the OECD Competition Committee, and a member of the Policy Task Force for the American Bar Association Antitrust Section.
Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, he held the position of Interim Commissioner from September 2012. Previously, Pecman held the position of Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Criminal Matters Branch, where he directed significant criminal investigations under the Competition Act.
Pecman holds an M.A. from McMaster University in economics.