June 9 – The government missed key opportunities to consult with various constituencies affected by proposed amendments to the Competition Act in the Budget Implementation Act. While agreeing with Minister Champagne regarding the critical role of the Competition Act in promoting dynamic and fair markets, the Competition Policy Council does not think that such consequential changes to the legislation intended to improve its operation can, or should be, done without input from stakeholders. In all cases, the Council is of the view that greater consultation before implementing the changes would, and still could, improve them to the betterment of Canadians and the Canadian economy. This is the consensus of the C.D. Howe Institute Competition Policy Council at its meeting on May 16, 2022.
The Competition Policy Council comprises top-ranked academics and practitioners active in the field of competition law and policy. The Council provides analysis of emerging competition policy issues. Elisa Kearney, Partner, Competition and Foreign Investment Review and Litigation at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, acts as chair. Benjamin Dachis, Associate Vice President of Public Affairs at the C.D. Howe Institute and Professor Edward Iacobucci, Competition Policy Scholar at the Institute, advise the program. The Council, whose members participate in their personal capacities, convenes a neutral forum to test competing visions and to share views on competition policy with practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
For more information contact: Andrew Logan, Communications Officer, C.D. Howe Institute, 416-479-9520 Ext. 9520, alogan@cdhowe.org
The C.D. Howe Institute is an independent not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to raise living standards by fostering economically sound public policies. Widely considered to be Canada's most influential think tank, the Institute is a trusted source of essential policy intelligence, distinguished by research that is nonpartisan, evidence-based and subject to definitive expert review.