BRITISH COLUMBIA – Canada’s Competition Tribunal released an 88-page decision on January 1 following a month-long hearing in the fall indicating the pending proposed Shaw–Videotron–Rogers transaction is “not likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially.”
A statement from Shaw said “found accurately that if the transactions are allowed to proceed, ‘the strengthening of Rogers’ position in Alberta and British Columbia…will also likely contribute to an increased intensity of competition in those markets’.”
“We are confident that these pro-competitive transactions will bring more choice, more affordability, more innovation and more connectivity to Canadians, and that the Competition Tribunal’s decision was the right one,” the Shaw release points out. “The decision points out that the Commissioner’s position and case relied heavily on evidence from our principal competitors, including TELUS. In attempting to block these transactions, the decision makes clear that the Commissioner’s position served the interests of TELUS and not consumers.
“The opening paragraph speaks for itself: ‘A well-known adage in the competition law community holds that when competitors oppose a merger, it is often a good indication that the merger will be beneficial for competition. In this case, the opposition from the Respondents’ two national competitors has been vigorous and far-reaching’.”
Shaw states they look forward to continuing to engage with government officials to obtain the final regulatory approval required for its spectrum licences to be transferred to Videotron.
