Topic: Antitrust, competition and regulatory

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Some Things Change, Some Things Stay the Same: 2023 Investment Canada Act Thresholds Increase, Competition Act Thresholds Remain the Same

Photo of Chris HershPhoto of Erika WoolgarBy Chris Hersh and Erika Woolgar on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory
The threshold for certain pre-closing net benefit reviews under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) and the threshold for a pre-closing merger notification under the Competition Act have been updated for 2023. For the second year in a row, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development has announced that the threshold for pre-closing merger notifications … Continue reading

Lower 2021 thresholds announced for merger reviews under Competition Act and Investment Canada Act

By nrfdigitalteam on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory
The threshold for certain pre-closing net benefit reviews under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) and the threshold for a pre-closing merger notification under the Competition Act have now both been released for 2021. Thresholds under both statutes decreased slightly, meaning more transactions may be reviewable or notifiable, respectively, than in 2020. Competition Act Canada uses a two-part test … Continue reading

Timely, or too soon? Competition Bureau releases guidance on “failing firm” claims in merger reviews

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)Photo of Erika WoolgarPhoto of Alexane SamsonBy Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto), Erika Woolgar and Alexane Samson on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
On April 29, in a rare decision based on the “failing firm” rationale, the Competition Bureau announced it would not challenge the acquisition of Total Metal Recovery (TMR) Inc. by American Iron & Metal Company Inc. (AIM), because TMR would have likely exited the market without the merger. The Bureau released a detailed position statement … Continue reading

Canadian Government Announces New Policy Applying “Enhanced Scrutiny” to Certain Foreign Investments During COVID-19

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
Market Contraction The financial markets and global economy have experienced a precipitous decline and substantial volatility due to the economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This has had a significant and immediate impact on the level of M&A activity, both in Canada and globally, as companies are shelving deals or simply walking away entirely. … Continue reading

Competition Bureau Issues Additional Guidance on Competitor Collaboration During COVID-19 Pandemic

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)Photo of Anisha VisvanathaBy Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) and Anisha Visvanatha on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
Canadian businesses continue to face unprecedented challenges in light of the rapid spread of COVID-19. On March 20, the commissioner of competition provided some guidance for industry on the continuing application of the Competition Act to competitor collaborations, which we summarized in a recent bulletin. In short, the statement indicated that the Competition Bureau’s pre-existing … Continue reading

2020 merger review thresholds for Competition Act and Investment Canada Act

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
The threshold for certain pre-closing net benefit reviews under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) and the threshold for a pre-closing merger notification under the Competition Act have now both been released for 2020. The Commissioner of Competition announced on April 1 that the threshold would remain the same as in 2019. Competition Act Canada uses a two-part test for … Continue reading

CANADA’S COMPETITION BUREAU IS KEEPING AN EYE ON SMALL M&A DEALS

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
The Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) is required to review certain merger transactions that exceed various financial thresholds, based on the size of the business being acquired and the combined size of the buyer, the target business, and their affiliates. The notification thresholds under the Competition Act (the “Act”) are discussed in more detail here. The … Continue reading

Spreading like weeds: alternative cannabis products are on the way!

Photo of Troy Ungerman (Toronto)By Troy Ungerman (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, Cannabis, M&A
As we have previously discussed, Canada has positioned itself as a global leader in the cannabis space. That trend is set to continue on October 17, 2019, when it is expected that alternative cannabis products, which include edibles, infused beverages and topicals containing cannabis and cannabis concentrates will be legalized in Canada. The sale of a new and wider … Continue reading

FTC announces increased HSR thresholds for 2019

Photo of Troy Ungerman (Toronto)By Troy Ungerman (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory
On February 15, 2019 the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced the annual increased reporting thresholds under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act (“HSR Act”) of 1976, as amended. Under the HSR Act, if certain thresholds are hit, parties proposing a merger or acquisition must file a detailed report with the U.S. FTC and Department of Justice, … Continue reading

2019 merger review thresholds for Competition Act and Investment Canada Act

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory
The threshold for certain pre-closing net benefit reviews under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) and the threshold for a pre-closing merger notification under the Competition Act have been increased for 2019. Competition Act Canada uses a two-part test for determining whether a pre-merger notification is necessary. The two-part test is based on the size of the parties and the … Continue reading

Oil & gas update: AER hints at more changes

Photo of Thomas Collopy (Calgary)Photo of Colleen Abel (Calgary)By Thomas Collopy (Calgary), Tom Savery (Calgary) and Colleen Abel (Calgary) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, Energy
In recent years the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) has been making changes to its liability management system. In early August, the AER hinted more changes are on the way. In a news release, Jim Ellis, the regulator’s CEO, explains that a gap has been clearly identified in the current liability management system, and that the … Continue reading

Data privacy in M&A: new reporting and notification requirements

Photo of Troy Ungerman (Toronto)By Troy Ungerman (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
It is time for organizations to think ahead and prepare for new requirements imposed under the Digital Privacy Act (formerly known as Bill S-4). The new requirements, which will result in significant amendments to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), will come into force on November 1, 2018. The new requirements impose mandatory … Continue reading

Will Canada soon be a global leader in the cannabis space?

Photo of Troy Ungerman (Toronto)By Troy Ungerman (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, Cannabis, M&A
Recently, the Cannabis Act was granted Royal Assent, resulting in the official passing of the legislation for legalizing cannabis in Canada. The Act is expected to be in force as of October 17, 2018. The Canadian government’s decision to legalize recreational marijuana may significantly impact capital markets and M&A deals. The decision to legalize recreational marijuana … Continue reading

Competition Bureau opens consultation on revised immunity and leniency programs

Photo of Troy Ungerman (Toronto)By Troy Ungerman (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory
Last month, the Competition Bureau issued its revised immunity and leniency programs for public consultation (open until June 29), an important development as it represents the culmination of a process that began in 2015. An initial draft of the immunity program, published last fall, was subject to public consultation and the Bureau made further revisions … Continue reading

The Competition Bureau is soliciting feedback from stakeholders on two new advocacy initiatives

Photo of Troy Ungerman (Toronto)By Troy Ungerman (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory
The Competition Bureau recently issued a news release soliciting feedback from stakeholders regarding two of its newest advocacy initiatives: Opportunities where the Bureau can support increased competition through changes to regulations or policies; and Input on the Bureau’s draft Market Studies Information Bulletin. Supporting Increased Competition Using the Advocacy Suggestion Form, the Bureau is collecting perspectives on … Continue reading

Legal update: new European data privacy law comes into force on May 25, 2018

Photo of Mark Bissegger (Toronto)By Mark Bissegger (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
On May 25, 2018 the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force. The GDPR will create new requirements for Canadian companies that handle the personal information of European individuals. The GDPR also allows for heavy penalties to be imposed on organizations that fail to comply with this new regulatory regime. Based … Continue reading

Competition Act Merger Filing Fees Increases to $72,000

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
Effective May 1, 2018, merging parties will need to dig deeper to cover the fee that must be paid when filing a pre-merger notification or seeking an advance ruling certificate under the Competition Act. The fee is jumping from $50,000 to $72,000. In justifying the increase, the Competition Bureau argues that the fee has not … Continue reading

Canadian Securities Administrators are seeking comments on soliciting dealer arrangements

Photo of Trevor Zeyl (Toronto)By Trevor Zeyl (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, Governance and directors' liability, M&A
The Canadian Securities Administrators (the “CSA”) have issued CSA Staff Notice 61-303 and Request for Comment – Soliciting Dealer Arrangements (the “Notice”) on the use of soliciting dealer arrangements. “Soliciting dealer arrangements” generally refer to agreements entered into between issuers and investment dealers under which the issuer agrees to pay to the dealers a fee … Continue reading

2018 merger review thresholds for Competition Act and Investment Canada Act

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
The threshold for certain pre-closing net benefit reviews under the Investment Canada Act (ICA) and the threshold for a pre-closing merger notification under the Competition Act have been increased for 2018. Competition Act Canada uses a two-part test for determining whether a pre-merger notification is necessary. The two-part test is based on the size of the parties and the … Continue reading

Competition Act merger filing fees likely to jump in 2018

Photo of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
The Canadian Competition Bureau has started the process to increase the fee that must be paid when filing a pre-merger notification or seeking an advance ruling certificate under the Competition Act.  The fee is currently $50,000, and the Bureau is seeking permission to increase the fee to up to $72,000, effective April 1, 2018.  Any … Continue reading

Investment Canada Act update: new thresholds and national security in the news

Photo of Rowan WeaverPhoto of Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto)By Rowan Weaver and Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, M&A
Threshold now $1 billion As a result of recent amendments, most direct acquisitions of control of a Canadian company now only require prior approval of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development under the Investment Canada Act if the enterprise value of the Canadian business exceeds $1 billion.  That is expected to reduce the … Continue reading
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