Competition Bureau closes investigation of Postmedia and Torstar

News release

January 7, 2021 – GATINEAU, QC – Competition Bureau

The Competition Bureau announced today that it has closed its investigation into allegations that Postmedia and Torstar reached an agreement contrary to the conspiracy provisions of the Competition Act.

The Bureau began investigating in November 2017 after Postmedia, Torstar and its subsidiary Metroland Media Group announced a deal involving the swap of 41 community and daily newspapers, and subsequent closures of 36 of those newspapers, most of which were circulated in eastern and southern Ontario.

Following a review of the available evidence, the Bureau concluded that no further action was warranted.

To refer a case for prosecution under the criminal conspiracy provisions of the Competition Act, the Bureau must find clear evidence demonstrating that competitors reached an agreement to fix prices, allocate markets, or lessen or eliminate the supply of a product or service.

Quick facts

On November 27, 2017, Postmedia, Torstar and its subsidiary Metroland Media Group announced a deal involving the swap of 41 newspapers and subsequent closure of 36 community and daily newspapers in Ontario.
In March 2018, Competition Bureau officers conducted searches at the offices of Postmedia, Torstar and Metroland Media Group in the Greater Toronto Area.
In November 2018, the Bureau obtained a court order requiring one former and five current employees of Torstar to be examined under oath by Bureau investigators.

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Contacts

For media enquiries, please contact:
Media Relations
Email: media-cb-bc@cb-bc.gc.ca

For general enquiries, please contact:
www.competitionbureau.gc.ca
Enquiries/Complaints

The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.

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Date modified:: 2021-01-07