Canadian COMPETITION & ANTITRUST LAW

The pre-merger notification provisions of the Competition Act (the “Act”) require both parties to specified types of transactions that exceed the statutory monetary thresholds under the Act to file pre-merger notification filings with the federal Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”).

In addition, Canada’s merger control regime was recently significantly amended (in March, 2009) which has led to the adoption in Canada of a U.S.-style two-track merger control regime.

This note sets out frequently asked questions regarding the scope and application of Canada’s merger control rules.

Is notification mandatory or voluntary?

For mergers that exceed the statutory monetary thresholds under the Act, notification is mandatory and failure to pre-notify is a criminal offence.

Are non-notifiable mergers reviewable?

Yes.  Regardless of size, any transaction that falls within the broad statutory definition of “merger” under the Act is also potentially subject to substantive review by the Bureau to determine whether the merger may prevent or lessen competition substantially in a relevant market (or markets).  Moreover, the Bureau has in the past challenged transactions that were not notifiable.

What is the test for notification?

Generally speaking, for a merger to be notifiable in Canada under Canadian competition law it must: (i) involve the acquisition of an “operating business” in Canada, (ii) be one of five specified types of transactions, (iii) exceed the statutory monetary thresholds and (iv) not fall within any of the statutory exceptions under the Act.

How is merger defined in the Act?

Section 91 of the Act defines “merger” broadly as the direct or indirect acquisition of control over or a “significant interest” in the whole or a part of a business.  As such, control may be acquired by de jure control (i.e., acquiring more than 50% of the voting shares) or the acquisition of a “significant interest”.

The Bureau has taken the position that the acquisition of a significant interest will occur when a person obtains the ability to materially influence the economic behaviour of a business, including pricing, purchasing, investment or financing decisions, and that, while ownership of less than 10% of the voting interests in a business will not generally constitute ownership of a significant interest, acquisition of 10-50% of the voting interests may be sufficient for materially influence.

What is an operating Canadian business?

For a transaction to be notifiable, it must involve the acquisition of an “operating business” in Canada, which is defined under the Act as a business undertaking in Canada to which employees employed in connection with the undertaking ordinarily report for work.  The Bureau has taken the position that employees may include both independent contractors and part-time employees.

What types of transactions are notifiable?

The five types of transactions that require pre-merger notification filing, assuming all of the other requirements for pre-merger notification are also met, are: (i) asset acquisitions, (ii) share acquisitions, (iii) amalgamations, (iv) non-corporate combinations and (v) acquisitions of interests in non-corporate combinations (though asset and share acquisitions are the most commonly encountered).

What are the notification thresholds?

To be notifiable, a transaction must exceed both the “size of parties” and “size of transaction” thresholds under the Act.

Under the size of parties threshold, parties to a transaction, together with their affiliates, must have combined Canadian assets (or gross revenues from sales in, from or into Canada) of more than CDN $400 million.

Under the size of transaction threshold, the book value of the target’s assets in Canada, or annual gross revenues from sales in or from Canada generated by those assets, must exceed CDN $70 million.

For share acquisitions, an additional threshold must be met.  For the acquisition of public companies, the acquisition must result in the acquirer holding more than 20% of the voting shares (more than 50% if more than 20% is already held).  For private companies, the acquisition must result in the acquirer holding more than 35% of the voting shares (more than 50% if more than 35% is already held).

In addition there are different thresholds and tests for amalgamations and non-corporate combinations.

How are assets and revenues calculated?

Assets and revenues are calculated according to the most recent audited annual financial statements.  The Notifiable Transactions Regulations under the Act set out a detailed regime for the calculation of assets and revenues and can impact asset and revenue calculations where, for example, a transaction is delayed or where material changes are made pre-closing affecting the determination of whether a transaction may be notifiable.

Is purchase price relevant?

No.  Whether or not a proposed transaction is notifiable in Canada does not depend on the purchase price for a transaction, but rather depends on what is being acquired (i.e., whether an operating Canadian business is being acquired), the type of transaction, whether the statutory monetary and share thresholds under the Act are exceeded and whether any exceptions to notification are available under the Act.

Are there exceptions to notification?

Yes.  The Act contains a number of exceptions from the pre-merger notification requirements including certain ordinary course acquisitions of real property and goods, an underwriting exception, transactions between affiliates (as defined in the Act) and where an Advance Ruling Certificate (“ARC”) is received, which is one form of clearance under the Act.

Who must notify?

Both parties to a transaction (i.e., both the acquirer and the target) are required to file a pre-merger notification filing.

What must be filed?

Whereas previously, parties could choose between filing either a “short form” or “long form” notification (based on the complexity of the deal), Canada now has a single pre-merger notification form.  Having said that, what is filed by merging parties can in many cases depend on the complexity of a proposed transaction and discussions with the Bureau (e.g., whether an ARC application or notification, often together with a competitive effects brief, is filed).

What are the filing fees and who must pay?

Merger notification filings are subject to a CDN $50,000 filing fee and the filing fee is to be paid by the notifying parties.  The fee for an ARC request is CDN $50,000 plus GST and is to be paid by the person making the request.  While parties may determine how filing fees are allocated among the parties, the Bureau has taken the position that notifying parties are jointly and severally liable for payment.

To whom is notification made?

The Bureau’s Merger Notification Unit (“MNU”) is responsible for all pre-merger notifications.  The MNU also provides guidance to merging parties and enforces compliance with the pre-merger notification provisions of the Act.

Is Canada a suspensory jurisdiction?

Yes.  Canada is a suspensory jurisdiction.  Parties to a notifiable transaction are prohibited from completing a transaction after filing unless the applicable waiting period has expired or clearance has been received (i.e., an ARC or “no action letter”).

What are the required waiting periods?

As a result of the recent amendments to the Act, Canada now has a new two-stage merger review regime.  Under the new rules, notification triggers an initial 30 calendar day waiting period during which the parties to a transaction are not permitted to complete the transaction (unless clearance has been received).

During the initial 30 day waiting period the Bureau may advise the parties that it does not intend to challenge the transaction.  Alternatively, where the Bureau takes the position that there are potential competition issues, it may issue a Supplementary Information Request (“SIR”, which is the Canadian equivalent to a U.S. second request).

If the Bureau issues a SIR, the waiting period stops until a complete response to the SIR has been filed upon which a second 30 day waiting period begins during which the parties are not permitted to close – again, unless clearance is received.

What is the test to issue a SIR?

The Commissioner of Competition (the “Commissioner”) may issue a SIR requiring parties to a transaction to supply additional information that is “relevant to the Commissioner’s assessment of the proposed transaction”. 

While there is no judicial oversight for the issuance of SIRs, the Bureau has issued internal guidelines governing the scope, timing and procedure in relation to SIRs including consultations to narrow their scope (though they are non-binding and so it remains to see how they will be applied in reality).

How long may the SIR process take?

There is no limit as to how long a SIR request process may take.  This is because the burden is on the merging parties to complete the request and, where a SIR is made, the “clock” will not start again until the SIR has been fully complied with.

Where a SIR is not issued, can the Bureau otherwise delay a transaction?

Yes.  In addition to the issuance of a SIR during the initial waiting period, the Bureau also retains the power to seek interim injunctions under section 100 of the Act.

Is the Bureau required to complete its review during the waiting periods?

No.  While merging parties are free to complete a transaction after the expiry of either the initial waiting period (assuming the Bureau has not issued a SIR) or the second waiting period (assuming the Bureau has not taken steps to suspend the transaction, by obtaining a section 100 injunction), the Bureau is not required to have completed its review during these periods and may challenge a transaction for up to one year post-completion (shortened from the previous three years).

Are timing agreements or other mechanisms available to avoid SIRs?

There may be cases when the Bureau’s review is not completed during the initial 30 day waiting period.  In such cases, it may be possible to negotiate timing agreements with the Bureau addressing, for example, closing dates and production requirements avoiding the issuance of a SIR.

Are there penalties for failing to file or closing prematurely?

Yes.  The recently amended Act gives the Competition Tribunal (the “Tribunal”) the power, in the case of a proposed transaction, to issue interim injunctions or order the filing of information.  In the case of a completed transaction, the Tribunal may make orders for mergers to be dissolved, for the divestiture of shares or assets or “administrative monetary penalties” (essentially civil fines) of up to CDN $10,000 for each day of non-compliance. 

Parties that discover a failure to notify should consult counsel immediately to review options including filing a corrective notification.

When may parties close?

Parties to a notifiable transaction may close when: (i) an ARC is received, (ii) a “no-action letter” is received or (iii) the applicable statutory waiting period has expired.  The Bureau may, however, continue to review a transaction post-closing and may challenge a transaction for up to one year post-completion (unless an ARC has been received).

If a transaction is non-complex what is the waiting time to obtain an ARC?

In the case of non-complex transactions, the Bureau’s non-binding service standard period to issue ARCs is fourteen days.

Do the amendments affect the forms of clearance available?

No.  The recent amendments to the Act do not affect parties’ ability to request (or the Bureau’s ability to issue) ARCs under section 102.  The amendments also do not affect the Bureau’s ability to issue “no action letters”.

Are there any special rules for hostile bids?

Yes.  There are special rules under the Act for hostile transactions.  Under these rules, the initial 30 day review period begins on receipt of a complete filing from the bidder and the Bureau then must notify the target that a filing has been received from the bidder and give the target 10 days to file from the date the target is notified.

In addition, the second 30 day waiting period (where a SIR is issued by the Bureau) begins when the Bureau receives the requested information from the bidder (i.e., regardless of when the target complies).  This mechanism is intended to prevent targets from stalling a transaction by delaying filing.

What is involved in the substantive review of mergers in Canada?

Broadly speaking, substantive review of mergers in Canada involves an analysis as to whether a proposed transaction is likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially in one or more relevant markets post-merger (i.e., to assess what the potential anti-competitive effects of a merger may be).

Whether a merger is likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially in a relevant market turns largely on whether the merged firm will be likely to exercise a materially greater degree of market power in a relevant market (or markets) post-merger.

The framework to analyze the potential anti-competitive effects of a transaction includes evaluative criteria in the Act, Tribunal merger decisions and the Bureau’s Merger Enforcement Guidelines (“MEGs”).  In assessing potential competition issues associated with a merger, the Bureau considers both unilateral effects (i.e., whether the merged firm alone is likely to be able to exercise market power post-merger) and coordinated effects (i.e., whether a group of firms together are likely to be able to exercise market power post-merger).

This analysis of market power involves, among other things, the review of a number of factors including the estimated market shares of the parties, concentration in the relevant market (or markets), barriers to entry and other so-called “evaluative criteria” including effective remaining competition, foreign competition and the countervailing power of customers.

With respect to market shares, the Bureau takes the position in its MEGs that it will generally not challenge a merger on the basis of a concern of a unilateral exercise of market power where the post-merger share is less than 35% and will not generally challenge a merger on the basis of a concern of coordinated effects if: (i) the combined post-merger share of the four largest firms in the relevant market (CR4) is less than 65% or (ii) the post-merger share of the merged entity is less than 10%.

Has substantive merger review changed after the 2009 amendments?

No.  While the amendments to the Act that came into force in March, 2009 significantly changed the process and filing requirements for mergers, the regime for the substantive review of mergers in Canada has not changed.

Who may challenge a merger and what is the process?

The Bureau has exclusive jurisdiction to challenge mergers in Canada and may challenge a merger either pre- or post-completion.

Where the Bureau takes the position that a proposed merger is likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially, the Commissioner may seek remedial orders from the Tribunal including an order to block the merger (in the case of a proposed merger) or an order for the dissolution of assets of shares (in the case of a completed merger).

The Bureau has also sought injunctions in the past to allow more time for substantive review and may challenge a transaction for up to one year after closing (which time period has recently been shortened from the previous three years).

However, while the Commissioner has the power to make applications to the Tribunal for remedial orders, contested merger proceedings in Canada are very uncommon with the majority of issues being resolved by way of negotiated settlement (i.e., through negotiated consent agreements).

What powers does the Bureau have to collect information for a merger review?

The Bureau may exercise its power to issue a SIR to seek further information from merging parties and may also make voluntary information requests or seek section 11 orders to obtain information from third parties.

What are examples of competition law advice prior to a transaction?

Some of the competition law considerations and issues in advance of a transaction include:

Notifiability.  Whether a transaction is notifiable in Canada or other jurisdictions (e.g., the U.S. or EU).  Approximately 100 jurisdictions worldwide now have competition law regimes, with most having also adopted merger control rules that can in some cases mean that a transaction is also notifiable in multiple jurisdictions.

Non-notifiable Transactions.  Where a transaction is not notifiable under the Act, whether there may nevertheless be potential competition law issues (as the Bureau has the power to review mergers that do not meet the thresholds for notification).

Investment Canada Act.  Whether the Investment Canada Act may require that a notification or application for review be filed or other sectoral regulatory requirements (e.g., in relation to transactions in the financial services, telecommunications or transportation industries).

Timing & Multi-juridictional Review.  Timing strategies in relation to required competition filings in Canada and/or other jurisdictions.

Substantive Issues & Strategies.  Potential competition law issues that may arise from the transaction and strategies for minimizing the risk and lessening the likelihood remedies may be sought by the Bureau.

What are some examples of competition law advice during a transaction?

Some of the competition law considerations and potential issues during a transaction include:

Pre-merger Notification Filings.  Where a transaction is notifiable, what to file, engaging in discussions with the Bureau and preparing and coordinating Canadian filings and/or filings in other jurisdictions.

Complex Transactions.  For complex transactions, strategies for clearance, reducing the risk of that a SIR may be issued, dialogue with the Bureau and strategies for meeting the applicable timetable for completion.

Transaction Documents.  Advice in relation to the drafting and negotiation of transaction documents including: (i) representations (e.g., revenues and assets of the parties, which determine whether a transaction is notifiable), (ii) conditions (i.e., relating to competition law clearances) and (iii) covenants (e.g., in relation to information sharing, co-operation to seek clearance, payment of fees and taking steps to effect any remedies).

Pre-merger Conduct Memoranda.   Preparation of pre-merger conduct memoranda (i.e., in relation to due diligence and pre-merger coordination that can raise pre-mature completion or conspiracy issues in some instances).

Communications Strategies.   Assisting with news releases and communications with customers and suppliers (the Bureau commonly contacts customers and suppliers during a merger review).

Negotiation of Remedies.  Analysis and negotiation in relation to any merger remedies that may be required to obtain clearance for a transaction.

What other Bureau guidelines or rules may apply to a merger?

In addition to the Act and Notifiable Transactions Regulations, the Bureau has issued a number of other enforcement guidelines (e.g., the Merger Enforcement Guidelines and merger review process guidelines) and Bulletins (e.g., in relation to the application of the efficiencies defence and merger remedies).  The Bureau has also issued a number of Interpretation Guidelines in relation to the application of the Act in relation to particular types of transactions and situations. 

For example, the Bureau has issued Interpretation Guidelines in relation to the definition of “operating business”, multiple step or continuous transactions, ordinary course acquisitions and joint ventures.

The Bureau’s merger-related guidelines, though not binding, can in many cases impact the analysis of both substantive and procedural aspects of a transaction.

OUR CANADIAN MERGER CONTROL SERVICES

We practice federal competition law, have provided competition law and compliance advice to clients across Canada and internationally and provide a full range of competition law services in relation to the criminal conspiracy, merger, abuse of dominance, misleading advertising and deceptive marketing provisions of the federal Competition Act.  We have provided pre-merger notification and foreign investment advice in relation to numerous domestic and cross-border mergers.  Our Canadian merger control and foreign investment services include:

- Advice on the application of the Competition Act to mergers.
- Application of the Investment Canada Act to foreign investment in Canada.
- Preparing pre-merger notification filings and submissions.
- Drafting transaction documents.
- Merger-related compliance guidelines (pre-merger conduct memoranda).
- Coordinating and advice in relation to multi-jurisdictional merger review.

CANADIAN COMPETITION LAW LINKS

For more information about Canadian competition law or our competition law services visit our Blog Homepage, Competition Law Services, Canadian Competition Law, Competition Act Amendments, Merger Control, Merger Control FAQs, Abuse of Dominance, Conspiracy,  Advertising and Marketing, Promotional Contests, Trade Associations, Refusal to Deal,  Investment Canada Act, Canadian Competition Law Compliance, Private Actions, Bid Rigging or Global Competition Law and Policy pages or visit our website at www.NortonStewart.com.

CONTACT US

We provide Canadian competition law services to Canadian and international clients.  For more information about our Canadian competition law and consulting services contact us at steve@nortonstewart.com, info@competitionlawcanada.com or call us on +1 604 687 0555 or +1 778 867 5558.

On March 12, 2010, the Canadian Competition Bureau announced the coming into force of Canada’s new two-track conspiracy regime:

“The Competition Bureau is pleased to announce that amended provisions of the Competition Act relating to competitor collaborations come into force today.

Changes to the conspiracy provision of the Competition Act will allow the Competition Bureau to enforce Canada’s anti-cartel law more effectively against serious offenders: those that agree to fix prices, allocate markets or restrict output. Other forms of agreements that may raise competition concerns will be reviewed under a new non-criminal provision. These changes remove the threat of criminal sanctions for legitimate collaborations to avoid discouraging firms from engaging in potentially beneficial alliances.

The changes were introduced by amendments to the Competition Act that received Royal Assent on March 12, 2009. The coming into force of these particular sections of the Act was delayed for one year to allow businesses time to adjust to the new law.

Businesses are encouraged to learn more about their responsibilities under the amended Act. To assist the public in understanding the changes to the Act, the Bureau has made a variety of resources available on its website, including guidelines about how the new law will be enforced.”

For more information, see: Competition Bureau – New Laws for Competitor Agreements.

CANADIAN COMPETITION LAW LINKS

For more information about Canadian competition law or our competition law services visit our Blog Homepage, Competition Law Services, Canadian Competition Law, Competition Act Amendments, Merger Control, Merger Control FAQs, Abuse of Dominance, Conspiracy,  Advertising and Marketing, Promotional Contests, Trade Associations, Refusal to Deal,  Investment Canada Act, Canadian Competition Law Compliance, Private Actions, Bid Rigging, Canadian Competition Law Resources, Competition Law Links or Global Competition Law and Policy pages or visit our website at www.NortonStewart.com.

CONTACT US

We provide Canadian competition law services to clients across Canada and internationally.  For more information about our Canadian competition law and consulting services contact us at steve@nortonstewart.com, info@competitionlawcanada.com or call us at +1 604 687 0555 or +1 778 867 5558.

DISCLAIMER

The materials and information on CANADIAN COMPETITION LAW are provided as legal information about Canadian competition law.  Reading and accessing this information does not create a lawyer-client relationship.  The information on our blog does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion on any issue.  In addition, the information and materials on this website will change based on new competition law developments and, as such, may not be current as of the date of access.  As such, we take no responsibility for the accuracy or currency of the competition law information or materials on our blog, which should not be relied upon without receiving legal advice from competent legal counsel.

CANADA’S NEW CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY REGIME

Canada’s new criminal conspiracy rules will come into force Friday March 12, 2010. 

The changes, which are the final recent Competition Act amendments to come into force, will significantly change the enforcement of criminal cartels in Canada and is expected to also have significant impacts on competition law private actions and class actions.  Effective Friday, Canada will have three new criminal conspiracy offences for “hard core” cartel conduct, making bare price fixing, market allocation/division and supply restriction agreements per se illegal – i.e., without the necessity of establishing any anti-competitive effects on a relevant market (or markets).  The penalties for contravening the conspiracy provisions will also more than double with fines of up to CDN $25 million and/or imprisonment for up to fourteen years.

At the same time, a second civil provision will be introduced as part of the Competition Act amendments under which other commercial agreements (i.e., agreements that do not fall within the scope of the new criminal offences) may be reviewed, where they may prevent or lessen competition substantially.  Some of the expected impacts of the new rules include: (i) increasing the risk of engaging in hard-core anti-competitive conduct (e.g., price-fixing agreements), (ii) lowering the bar for the Competition Bureau and private plaintiffs to establish a criminal conspiracy under section 45 (the criminal conspiracy provision of the Act), (iii) increasing the importance of reviewing commercial agreements (and other commercial arrangements, such as information sharing arrangements or joint ventures) for competition law compliance and (iv) potentially leading to an increase in private action activity in Canada.

CANADA’S NEW NOTIFIABLE TRANSACTIONS REGULATIONS COME INTO FORCE

On February 2, 2010 Canada’s new Notifiable Transactions Regulations came into force.  On February 16, 2010, the Competition Bureau issued its new single notification form for Canadian merger notification.  The coming into force of the new Notifiable Transactions Regulations, together with the recently issued notification forms (together with section 116 and 118 certificates), are among the last changes to Canada’s new competition and foreign investment law regimes to come into force (that include the introduction of a new U.S.-style two-stage merger control regime).  For more information about Canada’s new merger control regime vist our Merger Notification page or see the Bureau’s recent News Release at: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Competition Law and REALTORS – A National Competition Law Course For Organized Real Estate

The Alliance for Canadian Real Estate Education (ACRE) and The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) will be launching a new national competition law compliance course for Canadian REALTORS this spring entitled Competition Law and REALTORS.  This upcoming half-day competition law course, prepared by ACRE and CREA for Canadian real estate professionals and to be offered across Canada, will provide an overview of competition law as it applies to organized real estate in Canada. 

Topics for this course will include: (i) how the criminal conspiracy, misleading advertising, price maintenance, deceptive telemarketing and abuse of dominance provisions of the Competition Act apply to the real estate industry in Canada, (ii) an overview of the recent Competition Act amendments, (iii) basic compliance guidelines for real estate professionals, (iv) guidelines for board and association meetings, (v) practical competition law case studies and (vi) Canadian competition law resources. 

This course, and the text Competition Law and REALTORS, has been prepared by Steve Szentesi.  For more information about this course, contact ACRE: www.acree.ca.

Competition Law For Business Lawyers – The Basics

Do you as a business lawyer know the scope and impact of the new Canadian competition law rules?  Do your clients know the potential impacts and exposure?

We have issued a new competition law publication for business lawyers entitled Competition Law for Business Lawyers – The Basics.  This short publication provides an overview of key areas of competition law for business lawyers including short overviews of the Competition Act, the recent Competition Act amendments, enforcement and penalties, Canadian merger control, conspiracy, advertising and marketing and the application of the Competition Act to trade associations. 

For a complimentary copy, contact us at steve@nortonstewart.com or info@competitionlawcanada.com.

Competition Law and Trade Associations – The Basics

Trade associations can serve many legitimate purposes, including promoting common interests to the public, lobbying, advocacy, research, education and promoting and improving product standards.  However, because trade association activities involve the direct interaction of direct competitors, association activities can in some cases raise competition law issues under the Competition Act.

In general, some of the types of trade association activities that can potentially raise competition law issues include those dealing with pricing, advertising, customers, territories, market shares, terms of sale and other key aspects of competition.  Some of the specific association activities that can potentially raise issues include: (i) board and membership meetings, (ii) information exchanges, (iii) association rules and bylaws (e.g., mandatory or suggested fee guidelines or advertising restrictions), (iv) dealing with members and discipline and (v) advertising or marketing restrictions.

Based on the potential competition law issues that can sometimes arise in the trade association context, it is prudent for Canadian associations to have competition law compliance programs and procedures in place.

This short new publication, Competition Law and Trade Associations – The Basics, is available to Canadian trade association clients and their executives as part of the competition law compliance programs that we design and offer to Canadian associations.  For more information about this publication and our competition law and compliance services for trade associations, contact us at steve@nortonstewart.com or info@competitionlawcanada.com.

UPCOMING COMPETITION LAW EVENTS

CLE BC Seminar: Canada’s New Competition & Foreign Investment Law, 2010

Steve Szentesi will be chairing and speaking and Tom Hakemi will be speaking at the upcoming CLE BC seminar: Canada’s New Competition & Foreign Investment Law 2010.  This upcoming half-day practitioner-oriented seminar, which will be held on March 18th at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, will give an overview of the recent sweeping Competition Act amendments, including the coming into force of the Canada’s new two-track criminal conspiracy regime that will come into force Friday March 12th. 

In addition, members from the Competition Bureau’s Criminal Branch in Gatineau and from the Competition Bureau’s Vancouver office will be attending this seminar to answer questions about the Competition Bureau and the enforcement of Canada’s new competition laws.

or more information, visit CLE BC: www.cle.bc.ca.

CANADIAN COMPETITION LAW LINKS

For more information about Canadian competition law or our competition law services visit our Blog Homepage, Competition Law Services, Canadian Competition Law, Competition Act Amendments, Merger Control, Merger Control FAQs, Abuse of Dominance, Conspiracy,  Advertising and Marketing, Promotional Contests, Trade Associations, Refusal to Deal,  Investment Canada Act, Canadian Competition Law Compliance, Private Actions, Bid Rigging, Canadian Competition Law Resources, Competition Law Links or Global Competition Law and Policy pages or visit our website at www.NortonStewart.com.

CONTACT US

We provide Canadian competition law services to clients across Canada and internationally.  For more information about our Canadian competition law and consulting services contact us at steve@nortonstewart.com, info@competitionlawcanada.com or call us at +1 604 687 0555 or +1 778 867 5558.

DISCLAIMER

The materials and information on CANADIAN COMPETITION LAW are provided as legal information about Canadian competition law.  Reading and accessing this information does not create a lawyer-client relationship.  The information on our blog does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion on any issue.  In addition, the information and materials on this website will change based on new competition law developments and, as such, may not be current as of the date of access.  As such, we take no responsibility for the accuracy or currency of the competition law information or materials on our blog, which should not be relied upon without receiving legal advice from competent legal counsel.