The Competition Bureau officially challenged the merger on Monday, releasing its reasons for wanting to block this deal with the devil. They're fairly obvious but also fairly convincing to me. 

The Bureau’s application to the Tribunal alleges that the merger would substantially prevent or lessen competition by:

• eliminating an established, independent and low-priced competitor;
• preventing future competition for wireless services, including 5G, within and outside Shaw’s existing service area; and
• preventing competition in wireless services for business customers in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

The Bureau contends that Shaw, which provides wireless services to over 2 million customers in Ontario, Alberta and B.C., is Rogers’ closest competitor. It has consistently challenged the Big 3 by improving the quality of its network and attracting customers through its aggressive pricing, bigger data allowances and service innovations."

Competition Bureau seeks full block of Rogers’ proposed acquisition of Shaw

Finally, someone is standing up for the general public and not for the interests of a bully giant like Rogers. Will they succeed in blocking it? I have my doubts, since these guys always seem to get their way, but wouldn't it be nice for the little guy to win just once?

Rogers & Shaw have 45 days to respond and the Bureau has an additional two weeks to answer after that.  The final decision then rests with the Tribunal but there's no timeline for when a decision might be rendered. 

A Canadian Press article indicates there's some doubt the Bureau's objection will amount to a major challenge and that the merger will eventually be approved. 

Competition Bureau seeks to block Rogers-Shaw deal, citing affordability and choice

Shorty Wave wrote:

Plus Rogers has the knack of ruining whatever they
take over, like the great job they’ve done with Citytv….!

What are you talking about? They're doing an amazing job with City TV! Canada's got talent and all!





 

Outside of communist, Russian and dictatorship led states, Canada's telecommunications network is one of the most unfair and monopolized industries among first world economies...Bell and Rogers will continue to limit or remove affordable options and rape their customers and shit on their employees at every turn...

I love how Rogers just upped one of my cell plans by $5.00 a month starting this May.   They did it because they could.