Ottawa's Former Competition Chief Weighs In on Canada's Landmark Law Overhaul
Ottawa sits at the centre of Canada's competition policy universe, and few people know that world better than Matthew Boswell — the former Commissioner of Competition who guided the Competition Bureau through one of the most transformative periods in its history. Now a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright's antitrust and competition practice, Boswell is reflecting on the sweeping changes that reshaped Canada's Competition Act in 2024.
Speaking with the Ottawa Business Journal, Boswell offered perspective on what the amendments mean for businesses, consumers, and the broader Canadian economy — a conversation with particular resonance for Ottawa's thriving legal and tech communities.
What Changed in 2024
The 2024 amendments to the Competition Act — introduced through Bill C-59 — were the most substantial update to Canadian competition law in decades. Key changes included:
- Strengthened merger review powers, giving the Bureau greater ability to challenge anti-competitive mergers even after they've been completed
- Tougher abuse of dominance rules, particularly relevant to large digital platforms and tech companies operating in Canada
- New provisions targeting drip pricing — the practice of advertising a low base price while tacking on hidden fees at checkout
- A right-to-repair framework, supporting consumers' ability to fix their own products
- New rules around collaborations that could restrict competition in labour and supply markets
For Ottawa's business community — home to major law firms, federal government procurement offices, and a booming Kanata North tech corridor — these changes carry real weight. Companies navigating mergers, partnerships, or dominant market positions now face a stricter regulatory lens.
Why It Matters for Ottawa's Tech Sector
The reforms land at a pivotal moment for Canadian tech. Ottawa's tech ecosystem, anchored by Kanata North's 550-plus companies, is increasingly attracting acquisition interest from global players. The new merger thresholds and enhanced Bureau powers mean more deals will face scrutiny — and Ottawa-based founders and investors need to factor that into their exit planning.
The abuse of dominance provisions are also being watched closely. As digital platforms become more central to commerce, advertising, and communications, the expanded definitions of anti-competitive behaviour give the Bureau sharper tools to challenge conduct that tilts the playing field against smaller Canadian players.
Boswell's New Chapter
Boswell stepped down from his role as Commissioner of Competition after leading the Bureau since 2019. During his tenure, he oversaw a more aggressive enforcement posture — challenging major mergers and pushing for the legislative changes that eventually became law. His move to Norton Rose Fulbright puts him on the advisory side, helping companies navigate the very rules he helped shape.
For Ottawa's legal and business sectors, his insights carry both historical weight and practical relevance. The Bureau, headquartered across the river in Gatineau, remains one of the most consequential regulators affecting Canadian business — and understanding how its new powers will be exercised is essential for any company operating at scale in Canada.
What's Next
With the amendments now in force, the next chapter will be written in enforcement. How aggressively the Bureau uses its new tools — particularly on digital markets and big tech — will define the practical impact of the 2024 reforms.
For Ottawa's entrepreneurs, lawyers, and executives, keeping close tabs on the Bureau's next moves isn't just smart business. It's essential.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal — obj.ca
