The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday edition that Cineplex has announced that it will appeal a record $38.9-million fine for deceptive marketing practices imposed by the Competition Tribunal. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post reports that the tribunal issued its decision on Monday, siding with the Competition Bureau in a case dating back to May, 2023. The watchdog had accused Cineplex of misleading theatregoers by not immediately presenting them with the full price of a movie ticket when they bought seats on-line. The specific issue was a $1.50 booking fee that Cineplex began including in June, 2022, for customers not enrolled in its Cineclub subscription and Scene Plus loyalty programs. The fee was waived for Cineclub members and reduced to $1 for Scene Plus members. The fine reflects the amount collected through the booking fee between June, 2022, and December, 2023. On top of the fine, the tribunal has ordered Cineplex not to engage in the same conduct that prompted the case for the next 10 years. Cineplex has vehemently denied the accusations from the beginning, saying moviegoers are promptly told about fees they may face and can avoid them all together by purchasing seats in-person at a theatre.