PaperlinX Fine Paper Merger Closes With a Remedy

On March 1, 2006, following the filing of a consent agreement with the Competition Tribunal, PaperlinX Canada (formerly Coast Paper Ltd.) completed its acquisition of Cascades Fine Paper Group Inc.’s fine paper merchant business known as Cascades Resources. The closing followed PaperlinX Limited’s November 17, 2005 announcement from its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia of its intention to acquire the Cascades Resources paper merchant business.

Both Cascades Resources and PaperlinX sell fine paper products in many parts of Canada. Fine paper is used to print a wide variety of products including brochures and books.

Over the course of its lengthy review, the Competition Bureau analysed the transaction’s impact on competition in the fine paper industry and consulted with printers, distributors, and office paper users such as businesses, governments and institutions. After the Bureau completed its review, the Commissioner concluded that the transaction would likely result in a