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ARTICLE · 18 DECEMBER 2023

Ch-ch-changes: Navigating The Shifting Tides Of Canadian Competition Law

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
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Change has been the dominant theme of competition law in Canada over the past 18 months.

CanadaAntitrust/Competition Law
Shuli Rodal
Shuli Rodal
Kaeleigh Kuzma
Kaeleigh Kuzma
Michelle Lally
Michelle Lally
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Change has been the dominant theme of competition law in Canada over the past 18 months. We expect this to continue until at least 2025. Following the federal government's landmark review of the Competition Act, significant legislative changes have already broadened the scope of conduct that can be subject to penalties or remedies. These changes have opened the door for more private enforcement. And additional significant changes are on their way.

These developments, together with the Competition Bureau's capacity-building initiatives resulting from a substantially increased budget, will certainly embolden the Commissioner of Competition (the Commissioner) and strengthen competition law enforcement in Canada. Expert and timely advice regarding the scope of the new and pending measures – and their implications – will assist business to prepare for and adapt to this brave new world.

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