Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment

Farris lawyers have the expertise to guide our clients across the most complex merger and acquisition issues arising under the Competition Act and Investment Canada Act.

Competition law and foreign investment law in Canada is the responsibility of the federal government and the principal pieces of legislation are the Competition Act and Investment Canada Act. Certain large mergers and acquisitions require advance approval under the Competition Act so that Canadian government officials can analyze any potential adverse competitive effects. Non-Canadian purchasers also require advance approval under the Investment Canada Act for certain large acquisitions of Canadian businesses to ensure that Canadian government officials are satisfied that the transaction is a net benefit to Canada and is not injurious to national security.

Farris is involved in Canadian competition and foreign investment law matters on a regular basis for our commercial clients and has extensive experience negotiating on behalf of clients with the Competition Bureau and the Investment Review Division of Industry Canada and assisting clients to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals concerning proposed mergers and acquisitions.