Canada’s competition regulator is looking into Amazon.com Inc. over concerns the e-shopping giant’s practices hurt local companies and consumers. The Ottawa-based watchdog is focusing on Amazon practices that may discourage third-party sellers from offering products at a lower price or force them to use its fulfillment services to sell their products in Canada. “The bureau’s investigation is ongoing and there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time,” it said. An Amazon spokesman said the company is cooperating with the Canadian probe and will continue to support small- and medium-sized businesses that sell on their platform in the country. The Competition Bureau is also examining whether Amazon’s policies “influence consumers to purchase products it offers for sale over those offered by competing sellers.” The regulator has asked third parties to provide input for the investigation. source