Intelligence

On July 15, 2026, the Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) released its proposed Cartel Enforcement Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) for public consultation. The Guidelines, intended to improve transparency and predictability, provide the Bureau's updated enforcement framework for sections 45 to 49 of the Competition Act (the “Act”), consolidating and modernizing guidance previously contained in the Bureau's Competitor Collaboration Guidelines and Enforcement Guidelines on wage-fixing and no-poaching agreements.

The Competition Bureau has signaled increased enforcement activity regarding exclusive use clauses in commercial leases following amendments to the Competition Act. This update examines emerging responses from the commercial leasing industry and provides guidance on factors landlords and tenants should consider when negotiating lease restrictions in light of heightened regulatory scrutiny.

This past June we wrote about the implications for agribusinesses resulting from the Canadian Competition Bureau’s declared intention to scrutinize the agricultural and food sector for anti-competitive conduct.

Découvrez les développements récents en droit de la concurrence et de l'investissement étranger au Canada, incluant les activités d'application de la loi du Bureau de la concurrence, les examens de fusions par secteur, et les nouvelles accusations criminelles pour pratiques commerciales trompeuses. Cette édition analyse également les tendances clés en matière d'investissements étrangers culturels et non culturels sous la Loi sur Investissement Canada.

The amendments expanded the Competition Bureau’s ability to challenge mergers, and directed greater attention toward smaller and serial acquisitions. The practical result is an environment characterized by longer and more intensive merger reviews, increased scrutiny of transactions that fall below the notification thresholds, and greater willingness by the Bureau to litigate.

The Canadian Competition Bureau's enforcement activity intensifies with criminal charges in a deceptive marketing case, while merger review volumes climb and new guidance emerges on private access to the Competition Tribunal. How are these developments reshaping the competitive landscape for businesses operating in Canada?