In a move that will be seen as good news to many, Rogers and Shaw have agreed to pause their merger via agreeing to a preliminary injunction until the Competition Tribunal decides if the deal can go ahead. Here’s a quote from the Competiton Bureau website:
Today Rogers and Shaw agreed to a preliminary injunction that prohibits them from closing their proposed merger until the Commissioner’s challenge is heard and decided by the Competition Tribunal.
As part of an agreement that will be registered with the Tribunal, Rogers has also agreed not to enforce any condition in its agreement with Shaw, or any other agreement entered into in connection with the proposed merger that limits Shaw’s ability to operate, maintain, enhance or expand its wireless business.
Rogers and Shaw have also agreed to the Commissioner’s request for an expedited hearing process before the Tribunal. The Commissioner sought an expedited process given the ongoing harm he has alleged is already occurring in the market. The expedited schedule will be set by the Tribunal with input from the Commissioner and the parties.
This isn’t really good news or bad news in my opinion. Though some will see it as good news. In reality it’s just part of the process of the Competition Bureau trying to stop this deal. Because they know that what Canadians from coast to coast to coast know. This is a bad deal and Canadians will lose if it goes ahead as it creates less competition and not more. The only thing that is interesting is that the Competition Bureau is trying to expedite things. That part is good as this needs to be sorted sooner rather than later. And I am hoping that by “sorted” it means that this deal is shot out of the sky.