Competition/Antitrust | Canada

Blake, Cassels & Graydon remains one of the leading competition law practices in Canada with a strong offering across both contentious and non-contentious competition law matters. Respected for its presence on leading M&A transactions, the competition, antitrust and foreign investment team has a strong track record in high-value, multi-jurisdictional merger clearance filings and also advises on FDI filings. Its lawyers also offer expertise in antitrust inquiries in relation to price-fixing cartels and have notable experience defending clients in high-profile class actions. The firm has established broad industry expertise, with impressive credentials in a range of sectors including energy, TMT and banking.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg is a leading law firm with a premier Toronto-based competition department, identified for its skilful handling of the antitrust elements of multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team is a popular choice with clients from the pharmaceutical, energy and technology sectors, as well as with private equity houses. The firm fields a sizeable team that adeptly handles both class actions concerning allegations of involvement in cartels and anti-competitive behaviour in advertising.

McCarthy Tétrault operates a dynamic and well-established competition law practice group with considerable experience in investigations, transactions and disputes, as well as foreign investment mandates. The group has an impressive track record of handling prominent, blue-chip, cross-border merger clearance filings. On the contentious side, team members offer notable experience defending clients accused of abuse of dominance or misleading advertising in class actions. The firm has a broad presence with offices in both Toronto and Montréal.

Stikeman Elliott is a full-service law firm housing a superb competition practice group with notable expertise in contentious antitrust issues, such as competition class actions. The team also wins praise for its representation of blue-chip clients in connection with the competition aspects of high-value global merger transactions, assisting clients with reviews before the Competition Bureau and with Investment Canada Act matters. It is a popular choice with private equity houses, as well as clients from the financial services, retail and TMT sectors.

Bennett Jones is a well-known law firm with a strong reputation in the field of competition law, featuring well-established litigation expertise. The team possesses notable experience in handling cartel investigations, often defending clients in class actions alleging possible bid rigging or price fixing. The firm also represents clients in domestic and cross-border merger reviews and advises on foreign direct investment issues. It is a popular choice with clients from the FMCG, financial services and technology industries. It further benefits from the support of former Commissioner of Competition Melanie Aitken, who co-heads the team and advises on Canadian law from Washington, DC.

Clients benefit from the broad spread of McMillan's experts across Canada, with lawyers based in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Montréal and Calgary. The law firm operates a well-known competition and antitrust practice that is widely recognised for its significant experience of class actions, frequently defending clients in allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and cartel involvement. The firm has a solid track record of advising on merger and foreign investment review files, often acting for multinational clients on mandates in the technology and transport sectors, as well as assisting private equity houses.

With teams based in Calgary and Toronto, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is a respected law firm that is highlighted for its standout capabilities on the M&A side of competition and antitrust, providing guidance to notable clients in the technology sector. The team is also active on the contentious side of competition law, representing clients in behavioural investigations and class actions concerning allegations of price manipulation and deceptive marketing.

Torys' competition department leverages the market-leading strength of the firm's Toronto and Calgary-based corporate group to advise on major merger clearance issues, particularly in the energy and financial services sectors. The firm also has experience in behavioural matters, defending clients in class action disputes over possible cartels, as well as representing them before the Competition Bureau in sector inquiries. The team also assists clients with competition compliance issues regarding pricing strategies.

Borden Ladner Gervais possesses a solid competition practice group that assists blue-chip clients with the Competition Act and Investment Canada Act aspects of proposed corporate transactions. The law firm is also active in contentious competition law matters, representing clients in class actions involving allegations of participation in cartels and abuses of dominant position, as well as advising clients on contested merger processes. The team has a number of clients from the e-commerce and technology industries.

Fasken acts for a broad client base on competition law issues, assisting clients from the real estate, technology, pharmaceutical and mining industries with both contentious and non-contentious matters. The law firm offers expertise in class actions concerning allegations of involvement in cartels, as well as litigation around anti-competitive behaviour such as misleading representations to the public, including greenwashing. The team also frequently advises on Competition Act filings for corporate transactions. The firm is able to collaborate with its other offices, particularly on matters of South African competition law.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell offers a solid track record in competition litigation, particularly representing defendants in class actions around alleged price fixing. In addition to its activity in contentious matters, the law firm also assists clients with obtaining Competition Act and Investment Canada Act clearance for corporate transactions.

Dentons benefits from close collaboration with the firm's corporate team and with its impressive global network of offices to advise clients on multi-jurisdictional merger clearance filings. Its lawyers offer particular prowess in securing competition and foreign investment clearance for cross-border transactions in the energy and natural resources sector. The law firm's competition team is spread across its offices in Toronto and Edmonton.

Norton Rose Fulbright is an international firm with offices across Canada, offering competition services relating to non-contentious matters, such as merger review and the development and implementation of competition compliance programmes. The competition/antitrust group has additional strength in litigation matters, including cartel investigations and class action proceedings. The team also advises on potential misleading advertising matters.