Foreign authorities typically communicate confidential information to the Bureau with the understanding that the information will be treated confidentially and used for the purposes of the administration or enforcement of the Act. Whenever a foreign authority proposes or agrees to communicate confidential information, the Bureau is prepared to provide such assurances to the extent permissible under Canadian law. If the Bureau intends to use the information for any other purpose, before doing so, it will provide notice to and seek the consent of the foreign authority.  Information or documents provided by a foreign authority to the Bureau during an investigation are protected from disclosure under s.29. However, they could be disclosed in the context of a Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) or court proceeding where a Bureau investigation has progressed to litigation.   Documents provided by a foreign authority could be:  (i) used as evidence in court or at the Tribunal and would be subject to the same rules of disclosure and evidence (i.e., pertinence and availability, requirements of the Canada Evidence Act); or  (ii) disclosed to the accused if charges are laid (unless privileged).   Where appropriate, the Commissioner will resist the disclosure of such confidential information, and/or use other legal means to limit the people able to review the information (e.g., by way of a confidentiality order, which could, for example, limit disclosure to the Competition Tribunal and external counsel to the parties).  Third parties may also initiate legal actions to obtain access to confidential information that is in the possession of the Bureau, including where such information was provided by a foreign authority. In these rare situations, the Bureau will vigorously resist the action and will make all appropriate legal arguments regarding confidentiality and privilege to prevent disclosure. The Bureau will also notify any parties/foreign authorities who have provided information that is covered by such legal actions that an application for access to that information has been made. The final disposition of such matters rests with the courts.  In addition, the Bureau or the Public Prosecution Service of Canada may be in possession of information obtained pursuant to formal investigative powers under the Criminal Code. Accordingly, the communication of such information by the Bureau may be subject to requirements under the Criminal Code.