Skip to Main content

9.45°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Feb 27, 2024 4:03 PM - The Canadian Press

Ottawa freezes merger notification threshold, funds housing innovation projects

Share On

ottawa-freezes-merger-notification-threshold-funds-housing-innovation-projects

It also announced $123 million of funding to eight homebuilders that the federal government says are driving innovation and will help build more than 5,000 affordable homes.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

The federal government is freezing the threshold at which the Competition Bureau must be notified of a merger.

It also announced $123 million of funding to eight homebuilders that the federal government says are driving innovation and will help build more than 5,000 affordable homes.

The announcements came this morning during Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's weekly economic update alongside other ministers.

Competition law requires mergers that exceed a certain value to be flagged to the Competition Bureau in advance, so it can determine whether the deal could prevent or lessen competition.

Ottawa says the amount usually increases along with gross domestic product but instead, it will be kept frozen at $93 million, the threshold since 2021.

The funding for homebuilders is being allocated through the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund, a program that funds rent-to-own schemes and other innovative projects.

Latest news

WorldOct 19, 2026

Landmine Blast, Gunfire Kill 15 in Nigeria, Including 10 Soldiers

At least 15 people, including 10 Nigerian soldiers, were killed in a landmine explosion and gunfire targeting a military convoy in Borno State, Nigeria. The victims also included five members of the Civilian Joint Task Force. Six soldiers were injured in the attack and were taken to hospital. According to reports, soldiers from a battalion in Gamboru were patrolling a road between Gamboru Ngala and neighbouring Cameroon on Saturday when a pickup truck struck a landmine suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram militants. Eight soldiers travelling in the vehicle were killed on the spot. The

amit-shah-likely-to-meet-family-of-parvinder-singh-jhota-during-punjab-visit

IndiaOct 19, 2026

Amit Shah Likely to Meet Family of Parvinder Singh Jhota During Punjab Visit

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to meet the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa during his scheduled Punjab visit on October 20. Jhota had raised his voice against drug abuse in Punjab, and his death has sparked demands for justice. Discussions are ongoing over the response of the Justice Committee and various groups to Shah’s visit. The committee had announced its decision to oppose the visit. However, Bhim Singh, Jhota’s father, has appealed to people not to oppose the Union Home Minister. Ahead of Shah’s visit, he urged various groups to prioritize the family’s demand f

canadas-annual-inflation-rate-rises-to-3-1-in-september

CanadaOct 19, 2026

Canada’s Annual Inflation Rate Rises to 3.1% in September

Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.1 per cent in September, slightly exceeding the Bank of Canada’s upper target limit of 3 per cent. Inflation had remained steady at 3 per cent in August. According to a report released by Statistics Canada on Monday, higher gasoline and diesel prices were the main contributors to the increase in inflation last month. Food prices also rose, although the pace of growth was slower than in the previous month. Statistics Canada reported that grocery prices increased by 1.7 per cent year over year in September, down from 2.8 per cent in August. This marke

AlbertaOct 19, 2026

Alberta Votes in Historic Referendum on Separation from Canada

Albertans are voting today in a historic referendum that will determine whether the province should begin a legal process and formal voting on separating from Canada in the future. Around 1.3 million Albertans have already cast their ballots through mail-in voting or advance polls. Premier Danielle Smith has voted in favour of Alberta remaining part of Canada. The ballot paper contains 10 questions. Nine relate to immigration, constitutional issues and demands for greater provincial powers from the federal government, while the 10th concerns separation from Canada. Last week, Prime Minister Ma

four-canadian-soldiers-killed-in-explosion-at-alberta-military-training-base

FeaturedOct 19, 2026

Four Canadian Soldiers Killed in Explosion at Alberta Military Training Base

Four Canadian Armed Forces personnel were killed in an explosion following a wildfire at the Wainwright military training base in Alberta on Saturday, while 39 other soldiers suffered serious burn injuries. Nineteen of the injured remain in critical condition. Military officials acknowledged that they had been aware of the fire but initially did not consider it a threat, as it was approximately one kilometre away and appeared to be under control. Live-fire training was therefore allowed to continue. However, strong gusts of wind suddenly changed the fire’s direction in the evening, allowing

Related News

Canada’s Annual Inflation Rate Rises to 3.1% in September

Canada’s Annual Inflation Rate Rises to 3.1% in September

Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.1 per cent in September, slightly exceeding the Bank of Canada’s upper target limit of 3 per cent. Inflation had remained steady at 3 per cent in August. According to a report released by Statistics Canada on Monday, higher gasoline and diesel prices were the main contributors to the increase in inflation last month. Food prices also rose, although the pace of growth was slower than in the previous month. Statistics Canada reported that grocery prices increased by 1.7 per cent year over year in September, down from 2.8 per cent in August. This marke

Canada Updates Express Entry Rules for PR, Offering More Points for High-Wage Jobs

Canada Updates Express Entry Rules for PR, Offering More Points for High-Wage Jobs

Canada has introduced changes to its Express Entry system for permanent residency (PR), giving additional points to candidates with Canadian work experience or job offers in high-wage sectors such as engineering. According to an announcement made by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab on Friday, candidates with Canadian work experience or qualifying high-wage job offers will receive additional points under the updated system. The government will define a high-wage job as one that pays at least 1.3 times the national median wage. Candidates with higher-paying job offers will be eligible for

U.S.-Made Vehicles Lose 20% Market Share in Canada in First Half of 2026

U.S.-Made Vehicles Lose 20% Market Share in Canada in First Half of 2026

The market share of U.S.-made vehicles in Canada fell by 20% in the first half of 2026, following Canada's imposition of 25% retaliatory tariffs on American cars and trucks in response to tariffs introduced by Washington. As a result, major automakers, including Volvo, Tesla, Subaru and Mazda, have stopped supplying certain U.S.-built models to Canada or shifted some production to other countries to avoid Canadian tariffs. Vehicles manufactured in Mexico, Japan and South Korea can enter Canada without these tariffs. Meanwhile, Canadian-made vehicles have also suffered from the trade war, with

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital