Competition Bureau Issues Revised Merger Enforcement Guidelines

OTTAWA, September 21, 2004 - The world of merger review is easier to follow today thanks to the Competition Bureau's revised Merger Enforcement Guidelines (MEGs). Originally published in 1991, the MEGs provide lawyers, businesses, consumers and others with a clear picture of how the Bureau analyzes a merger.

The MEGs (2004) reflect developments in law and economics and address comments received during recent consultations with stakeholders.

Key improvements include:

• explaining the Bureau's current approach to market definition;
• describing, in greater detail, the Bureau's analysis of competitive effects arising from a merger; and
• reflecting the current law on efficiencies as provided in section 96 of the Competition Act.

The Bureau wishes to thank all those individuals and organizations who filed submissions and participated in roundtable discussions since consultations were launched in March 2004.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Tim Weil
Director of Strategic Communications
Communications Branch
(819) 953-9271

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
(819) 997-4282
1-800-348-5358