15.72°C Vancouver

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

mission-rcmp-seize-firearms-issue-tickets-during-crackdown-on-illegal-shooting-along-forest-service-road
BCJun 18, 2026

Mission RCMP seize firearms, issue tickets during crackdown on illegal shooting along forest service road

Mission RCMP say officers seized multiple firearms and issued several violation tickets during an enforcement operation targeting illegal recreational shooting along the Lost Creek Forest Service Road area over the June 13–14 weekend. According to a Mission RCMP release, officers responded to a report on June 13 of people shooting near the 7.5-kilometre marker of the forest service road. Police located five men from Abbotsford and seized five firearms from two 21-year-old gun owners. The pair later received $690 violation tickets for discharging firearms in a designated no-shooting area. RCM
BCJun 18, 2026

Suspect Arrested in Langford Sexual Assault Investigation Involving Youth

West Shore RCMP say a 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a sexual assault investigation involving a youth in Langford. According to an RCMP release, the incident was reported to have occurred on June 9 at about 3 p.m. near the intersection of Jacklin Road and Station Avenue. Police said a female youth was approached by an unknown adult male at a bus stop, where a brief conversation took place before the youth was allegedly sexually assaulted. West Shore RCMP issued a public appeal for assistance on June 12 as investigators worked to identify the suspect. Police said officers
CanadaJun 18, 2026

IRCC pauses final processing of some citizenship cases approved under Bill C-3

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily paused the final processing of some citizenship cases approved under Bill C-3, commonly known as the "Lost Canadians" legislation. According to IRCC, several dozen individuals have received notices asking them to surrender citizenship certificates that had already been issued while the department reviews their files. The department says the affected cases are undergoing additional document verification. In a statement, IRCC said individuals who have already received citizenship certificates and moved to Canada may continue to
b-c-launches-hydroelectric-upgrades-aimed-at-boosting-power-supply-by-7
BCJun 18, 2026

B.C. launches hydroelectric upgrades aimed at boosting power supply by 7%

The British Columbia government has announced a series of upgrades to its hydroelectric system that it says will increase the province's electricity supply by about seven per cent. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the largest project will involve adding a sixth generating unit at the Revelstoke Dam, increasing capacity by approximately 500 megawatts by 2032. According to the provincial announcement, the first four generating units at the Revelstoke generating station will also undergo modernization work. The government said upgrades are also planned at six other generating stations and at the W
smith-says-timing-may-prevent-coal-mining-referendum-question-from-appearing-on-october-ballot
AlbertaJun 18, 2026

Smith says timing may prevent coal mining referendum question from appearing on October ballot

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it may be too late for a citizen-led petition seeking a ban on new coal mining projects to be included in the province's Oct. 19 referendum vote. Earlier this month, Alberta musician Corb Lund submitted what he said were more than 200,000 signatures in support of a petition that would require the Alberta government to consider legislation banning new coal mining or submit the matter to a provincewide referendum if the signatures are verified. According to Alberta's citizen initiative rules, a successful petition can compel the government to either introduce

Related News