Significant Amendments To The Competition Act Are (Finally) Here

On June 20, 2024, Bill C-59¹ received royal assent and has become law, just one day after it completed its third and final reading in the Senate. With its passage, Bill C-59 implements a number of important amendments into the Competition Act (the "Act") that will have a significant impact on Canada's business environment.

This bulletin summarizes the key amendments implemented through Bill C-59. While most of the amendments came into force immediately upon Bill C-59 becoming law, the following amendments, which are detailed further below, will come into force on June 20, 2025:

• The amended leave test for private access under section 103.1 of the Act for conduct under the refusal to deal, price maintenance, exclusive dealing, tied-selling, market restriction, and abuse of dominance provisions of the Act (sections 75, 76, 77, and 79, respectively);