Rogers Communications and the Competition Bureau fail to resolve their differences

The failure of mediation dashed hopes for a short-term resolution

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Rogers Communications Inc. and the Competition Bureau have failed to resolve their differences over Rogers’ desire to buy rival Shaw Communications Inc.

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The two companies issued a terse statement on July 6 that said meetings with Competition Commissioner Matthew Boswell on July 4-5 « did not result in a resolution of the Commissioner’s objections to the proposed merger », dashing all hopes. of a short-term resolution. Ottawa’s concerns that the $26 billion acquisition would result in a less competitive market for wireless and cable services.

Rogers and Shaw said in May they would not complete the deal until Boswell’s issues were resolved, either through mediation or at the Competition Tribunal. The companies said in their latest statement that the review process “will continue as previously stated,” although they stressed the door to a negotiated settlement with the Competition Bureau remains open.