Merged pork processors unlikely to hog market, Bureau rules
Acquisitions of two ailing pork producers by large meat processors will not be challenged, the Competition Bureau announced on December 17, 2012. Meat processor Olymel L.P. is buying Western Canada’s largest hog producer, Big Sky Farms Inc., and Maple Leaf Foods is buying Western Canada second largest hog producer, Puratone Corporation. Big Sky is currently in receivership, and Puratone recently filed for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. The Bureau investigated both proposed mergers separately. The Bureau considered whether the merger would enable the processors to hog the market, and foreclose competitors from access to hogs in upstream markets ... [more] Full article
Competition Bureau drops charges after error taints investigation
Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. and its subsidiary, BFI Canada Inc. no longer face charges that they violated a July 2010 consent agreement they reached with the Competition Bureau as a condition of approval of a merger. [more] Full article
Competition Bureau clears electrical distributors merger
The Competition Bureau will not challenge the merger of two major distributors of electrical products, WESCO Distribution Inc. and EECOL Electric Corp., it announced on December 7, 2012. The Bureau ... [more] Full article
BC man extradited to US to face deceptive telemarketing charges
William Robertson must face charges in the United States that he was involved in a telemarketing scheme targeting elderly people in the US, a BC judge ordered recently. A joint ... [more] Full article
Developments Contributors
Michael Binetti
Michael Binetti, a partner of the firm, brings a proven litigation background plus extensive experience in arguing both trials and appeals. He has demonstrated his strategic legal capability and expertise in wide-ranging areas of litigation. Michael’s peers and clients have commented that Michael is an “excellent and creative lawyer,” “finds unique solutions to complex problems,” and that “Michael gets it and knows how to win.”
Kenneth A. Dekker
Kenneth Dekker, a partner of the firm, is a successful trial and appellate lawyer who is valued by his clients as a resourceful and practical litigation counsel. Over more than two decades, Ken has litigated noteworthy cases in a range of fields that include class action defence, securities and broker-dealer litigation and regulatory defence, corporate and shareholder disputes (including oppression and winding up cases), defamation, civil fraud litigation, disputes over contracts, injunctions, professional liability litigation, employment litigation and cross-border litigation issues. Ken has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken also represents and advises clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Ken has been ranked as Repeatedly Recommended for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Meredith Hayward
Meredith has earned an impressive reputation for her skill and abilities in Commercial Litigation and Administrative Law, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Masiel A. Matus
Masiel has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex matters. Masiel has experience litigating cases involving professional negligence, commercial leasing and real property disputes, insurance, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, employment matters and defamation claims.
David N. Vaillancourt
David's practice expertise focuses on all matters of Commercial and Civil Litigation, Competition and Administrative Law. David has acted for clients in a wide range of disputes, including shareholder and partnership disputes, securities litigation, class action defence, proceedings under the Competition Act, employment law disputes, contract disputes, breach of confidence/intellectual property disputes, fidelity bond claims, and professional negligence claims. David has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and has also appeared before the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal. David has appeared as lead counsel in numerous trials, hearings, and motions. David has been successful in numerous adversarial proceedings, and also has successfully negotiated the resolution of dozens of cases.
