François Tougas

Practice Areas

François Tougas’ practice is devoted to competition and transportation law and policy. In his transportation practice, he counsels parties before the Canadian Transportation Agency, the Competition Bureau, governments and legislatures in connection with strategic and competitive supply chain analyses, dealings between freight shippers, rail carriers and terminals. He represents shippers in negotiations, regulatory and contested proceedings, mergers & acquisitions, infrastructure development, and other transactional matters. Apart from shippers, his clients include receivers, terminals and other rail users, regional and short-line railways, investors, including private equity and permanent capital vehicles, transportation authorities and municipalities in their dealings with railways, marine and inland port authorities, and other supply chain participants. He is regularly engaged in legislative and regulatory policy efforts in the rail sector before Parliament, federal government bodies, and commissions. In his competition practice, François primarily represents merging parties in industries such as forestry, mining, transportation, manufacturing and technology. He is Adjunct Professor of Competition Law and Policy at Allard Hall, University of British Columbia, is a frequent lecturer and writer in rail economics and regulatory finance and has been recognized by peer-reviewed ranking services and journals for his work in both transportation and competition law.