Tag archives: competition

Tax competition is coming – review of the Federal Fall Economic Update

By Carl Deeprose (Toronto) on December 27, 2018 Posted in Tax

On November 20, 2018, the federal Government of Canada released their Fall Economic Update – a review of the country’s finances and economic health that addresses trends and changes taking place in Canada and the world since the federal Budget in the spring. Of particular note in 2018 was the anticipated response to the U.S. … Continue reading

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

By Troy Ungerman (Toronto) on May 29, 2018 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

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

By Rowan Weaver and Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on July 18, 2017 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

Keeping up with the Competition Bureau: recent position statements

By Troy Ungerman (Toronto) on September 30, 2015 Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, Corporate finance

Under the Competition Act, RSC 1985 c. C-34, the Competition Bureau (Bureau) reviews mergers to assess whether they are likely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in one or more relevant markets. As stated in its Merger Enforcement Guidelines (Guidelines), the Bureau generally makes its determination by assessing the competitive effects of the merger in … Continue reading

Supreme Court clarifies test for merger review in Canada

By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on January 26, 2015 Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, Corporate finance

Lays waste to Commissioner’s case on efficiencies, but serves as reminder of hazards of internal documents On January 23, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released its much-anticipated decision in Tervita Corp. v Canada (Commissioner of Competition). In 2011, the Commissioner of Competition (Commissioner) challenged Tervita Corp.’s merger with a potential competitor, Complete Environmental Inc., … Continue reading

Cross-border lumber deal felled by Competition concerns

By Kevin Ackhurst (Toronto) on July 8, 2014 Posted in Antitrust, competition and regulatory, Corporate finance

Tennessee-based Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) recently abandoned its proposed acquisition of Canadian competitor Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. (Ainsworth). The decision came several days after an announcement by U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and an announcement by the Canadian Competition Bureau (Bureau) that they each considered the transaction would likely substantially lessen competition of the sale of … Continue reading