You're right that the passage of Bill C-56 has changed things significantly on that front. Previously, in order to prove abuse of a dominant position, three conditions had to be met. It was necessary to show, one, that a company or group of companies controlled the market, two, that the company or group of companies had engaged in anti-competitive acts, and, three, that the anti-competitive acts had an effect on the market.
Under section 79 of the new Competition Act, it's still necessary to show that the person or persons control the market. However, only one of the other two conditions has to be met, either that the person or persons engaged in anti-competitive acts or that the conduct had an effect on the market. The bureau can then apply to the Competition Tribunal for an order prohibiting the practice or conduct in question. That's a significant change to the law.
Other changes in section 79 of the new act relate to administrative monetary penalties. In addition, with the bureau's newly granted powers in relation to market studies, the removal of the efficiencies defence in the context of a merger review will make a significant difference. Yes, the Competition Bureau will be better equipped going forward to protect competition in the face of mergers.