How Should Canada Review Corporate Mergers?
Official title: Reviewing the merger enforcement guidelines
Why This Matters
When big companies merge, it can mean fewer choices and higher prices for you. Think grocery stores, telecom providers, or airlines. The rules the Bureau uses to review these deals affect whether your local options shrink or stay competitive.
What Could Change
The Competition Bureau may tighten or loosen how it evaluates mergers. Stricter guidelines could block more deals that reduce competition. More flexible rules might let more mergers proceed. The updated guidelines will shape merger reviews for years to come.
Key Issues
- How should the Bureau assess whether a merger will substantially lessen competition?
- What factors should determine if a merger is anti-competitive?
What Happened
The Competition Bureau received written submissions from various stakeholders including law firms, bar associations, economists, and advocacy groups. All public submissions have been posted online for transparency.