Federal government tables Bill C-56: What retailers need to know
September 26, 2023Federal Bill C-56 (“The Affordable Housing and Grocery Act”) was tabled Thursday, September 21, 2023. This short bill includes the following proposed amendments to the Competition Act, which regulates market competition nationally for retailers and other businesses. The bill, if passed, would:
- Eliminate the efficiencies defence for mergers;
- Create market study powers. A study would be initiated by the Minister and done by the Competition Bureau, which would have to obtain a court order to compel information; and,
- Expand the Competition Tribunal’s power to issue orders against anti-competitive collaborations to include non-competitor collaborations.
RCC is responding to this latest development. There could also, potentially, be further amendments introduced down the road. If you are interested in more information, please contact Karl Littler, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, at klittler@retailcouncil.org.
For questions or more information contact
Kate Skipton
Senior Policy Analyst, Government Relations
kskipton@retailcouncil.org
416 467-3744
