Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.
My name is Jeanne Pratt. I am the senior deputy commissioner of the mergers and monopolistic practices branch at the Competition Bureau. Joining me today are my colleagues Anthony Durocher, who is the deputy commissioner of the competition promotion branch, and Laura Sonley, who is the associate deputy commissioner in our mergers directorate.
The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. We do this because competition drives lower prices and innovation while fuelling economic growth. We administer and enforce the Competition Act by investigating and taking action to address anticompetitive business practices that harm consumers, competition and our economy.
The Competition Act’s merger provisions are the first line of defence against harms to competition. They are a preventative tool that guard against harmful concentration of market power.
Competition in the telecom sector has been and continues to be a priority for the bureau. It's the backbone of commerce in the digital age and a critical service for businesses and consumers alike. This committee is well aware that the bureau filed an application to the Competition Tribunal seeking to block the proposed merger between Rogers and Shaw. While we were unsuccessful in our attempt, we stand by our decision to bring the case and our reasons for it. We are continuing to monitor the markets since the transaction closed.
The bureau will continue to prioritize our work in this sector through both our enforcement and our advocacy roles. Just two weeks ago, Ms. Sonley participated with other bureau personnel in the ongoing CRTC hearings on the review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework.
Recent amendments to the Competition Act, notably those made in 2022 and more recently through the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, have given the bureau more tools to protect and promote competition in Canada. The committee will also be aware that Bill C-59, which is currently before the House and is being prestudied in the Senate, contains several other amendments that, if passed, will further strengthen the Competition Act.
We are committed to using the new tools wherever necessary to protect competition. We also look forward to updating our guidance to Canadians and Canadian businesses on how the bureau will enforce these amendments.
The Bureau strongly believes that competition can play a greater role in the concentrated telecom sector, with Canadian consumers, businesses, and the overall economy reaping the benefits. More competition unlocks innovation and productivity, and helps us to maintain a high standard of living.
We share the committee’s interest in enhancing competition and working to ensure that high quality telecommunications services are reliable and affordable for all Canadians.
Before fielding your questions, I would note that the law requires the bureau to conduct its investigations in private and to keep confidential the information we have. This obligation may prevent us from discussing certain facets of our investigation.
I would like to thank the committee for the opportunity to appear today. We look forward to your questions.