The Competition Bureau announced on August 13 that it will not challenge the proposed acquisition of the over-the-air and specialty television businesses of Canwest Global Communications Corp. (Canwest) by Shaw Communications Inc. (Shaw). According to the Bureau, the transaction would not likely give rise to a substantial lessening or prevention of competition, being the statutory test for a merger challenge under the Competition Act. The Bureau based its conclusion on a number of factors, including effective remaining competition, the effect of the regulatory environment and a lack of relevant competitive concerns on the part of market participants. Concerns from market participants are typically a very important factor in the Bureau's assessment of the competitive impact of a transaction. In terms of the transaction's potential impact on advertising, the Bureau found that there were numerous alternative options available to advertisers. The transaction remains subject to CRTC approval.
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