Skip to Main content

7.15°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment 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

alberta-announces-10-new-school-projects-for-edmonton-to-address-classroom-shortages

AlbertaMar 09, 2026

Alberta announces 10 new school projects for Edmonton to address classroom shortages

The Alberta government says it will move ahead with 10 new school projects in Edmonton as part of efforts to address growing classroom shortages linked to rapid population growth. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced the projects under the province’s 2026 budget. The announcement brings the total number of public school projects currently underway in Edmonton to 37. According to the Alberta Ministry of Education, the newly announced projects include eight new schools and two replacement schools. The facilities are planned primarily for fast-growing suburban areas of the city whe

Cranbrook RCMP investigate targeted shooting at residence on 3rd Avenue South

Cranbrook RCMP say they are investigating a shooting that targeted a residence Sunday night in the city’s downtown area. Police said officers were called at about 9:22 p.m. on March 8 to a report of gunfire at a home in the 300 block of 3rd Avenue South. According to an RCMP news release, investigators located evidence consistent with gunshots and secured the area to allow forensic examination. No injuries were reported. Staff Sgt. Barry Graham of the Cranbrook RCMP said early indications suggest the incident was not random. “While the investigation is in its infancy, early indications are

surrey-police-launch-s-o-a-r-youth-safety-program-during-child-exploitation-awareness-week

CanadaMar 09, 2026

Surrey Police launch S.O.A.R. youth safety program during child exploitation awareness week

The Surrey Police Service has launched a youth safety initiative aimed at helping students recognize and respond to risks such as online exploitation, substance use and unhealthy relationships. The program, called S.O.A.R. – Strength, Opportunity, Autonomy, Resilience – is an interactive presentation designed for students in Grades 6 to 10. Police say the initiative is being highlighted during Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week, which runs from March 9 to 15. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, the program has reached more than 4,500 students s

foreign-national-sentenced-to-four-years-after-cbsa-finds-undeclared-firearms-at-victoria-ferry-terminal

CanadaMar 09, 2026

Foreign national sentenced to four years after CBSA finds undeclared firearms at Victoria ferry terminal

A 44-year-old foreign national has been sentenced to four years in prison following a Canadian Border Services Agency investigation into firearms offences at a British Columbia port of entry. According to the Canadian Border Services Agency, Reuben Velasquez was sentenced on Feb. 3, 2026, in Williams Lake Provincial Court after being convicted of two offences under the Criminal Code: possession of a loaded, prohibited or restricted firearm without authorization or licence under section 95(1), and unauthorized possession of a firearm under section 91(1). The charges stem from an incident on Sep

suspect-arrested-after-atm-stolen-in-abbotsford-business-break-in-police-say

Suspect arrested after ATM stolen in Abbotsford business break-in, police say

A man is in custody after an ATM was stolen during a break and enter at a business in Abbotsford late Sunday night, according to the Abbotsford Police Department. Police say officers responded at about 9:09 p.m. to a report of a break-in at a business in the 36300 block of Auguston Parkway in the city’s McKee area. According to police, suspects had already fled by the time officers arrived. The business sustained damage during the incident and an ATM was reported stolen. At approximately 9:41 p.m., a resident contacted police to report a suspicious vehicle near Wells Gray Avenue and McKinley

Related News

Surrey Police launch S.O.A.R. youth safety program during child exploitation awareness week

Surrey Police launch S.O.A.R. youth safety program during child exploitation awareness week

The Surrey Police Service has launched a youth safety initiative aimed at helping students recognize and respond to risks such as online exploitation, substance use and unhealthy relationships. The program, called S.O.A.R. – Strength, Opportunity, Autonomy, Resilience – is an interactive presentation designed for students in Grades 6 to 10. Police say the initiative is being highlighted during Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week, which runs from March 9 to 15. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, the program has reached more than 4,500 students s

Foreign national sentenced to four years after CBSA finds undeclared firearms at Victoria ferry terminal

Foreign national sentenced to four years after CBSA finds undeclared firearms at Victoria ferry terminal

A 44-year-old foreign national has been sentenced to four years in prison following a Canadian Border Services Agency investigation into firearms offences at a British Columbia port of entry. According to the Canadian Border Services Agency, Reuben Velasquez was sentenced on Feb. 3, 2026, in Williams Lake Provincial Court after being convicted of two offences under the Criminal Code: possession of a loaded, prohibited or restricted firearm without authorization or licence under section 95(1), and unauthorized possession of a firearm under section 91(1). The charges stem from an incident on Sep

NDP leadership voting opens; results to be announced March 29 in Winnipeg

NDP leadership voting opens; results to be announced March 29 in Winnipeg

Voting has begun in the federal New Democratic Party leadership race to replace Jagmeet Singh, with party members able to cast ballots until March 28. A party official said about 100,000 members are eligible to vote in the contest. The winner will be announced March 29 at the party’s annual convention in Winnipeg. Five candidates are seeking the leadership: union leader Rob Ashton, social worker Tanille Johnston, filmmaker Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson and farmer Tony McQuail. Fundraising disclosures filed with Elections Canada show Lewis leading the race financially. The party’s latest qua

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital