ACTA member feedback on Air Canada acquisition of Transat A.T. Inc.
ACTA welcomes member feedback on Government announcement regarding the Air Canada acquisition of Transat A.T. Inc. Please send your comments directly to Heather Craig-Peddie, Vice President Advocacy and Member Relations by end of day, November 29, 2019 in preparation for ACTA's meeting with Transport Canada the following week.
Click here to view the Consultation Paper.
On June 27, 2019, Air Canada and Transat A.T. Inc. (Transat) announced that they have concluded a definitive Arrangement Agreement regarding the proposed purchase by Air Canada of all issued and outstanding shares of Transat and its combination with Air Canada. On July 17, 2019, Air Canada and Transat (collectively the “Parties”) notified the Minister of Transport of a proposed transaction whereby Air Canada would acquire Transat. This notification was filed in accordance with the mergers and acquisition provisions in the Canada Transportation Act (the Act).
On August 26, 2019, the Minister of Transport announced that he has determined that the transaction raises public interest issues related to national transportation. As such, a public interest assessment of the proposed transaction will be conducted with input from the Commissioner of Competition, who will assess impacts on competition.
Under the Canada Transportation Act, Transport Canada has up to 150 days to complete this public interest assessment; however, considering the size and scope of the proposed transaction, the Minister has authorized an additional 100 days for both Transport Canada and the Commissioner of Competition to ensure sufficient time for thorough analysis and assessment. The 250-day public interest review is currently underway.
Please find attached a consultation paper that outlines a non-exhaustive list of public interest considerations that Transport Canada, on behalf of the Minster of Transport, will be examining during the public interest review. Please answer all of the questions that apply to you or your organization. Your answers can be based on your own expertise, experience, or opinion, or those held by your organization. In addition, feel free to provide any additional feedback with respect to your overall support or concerns with the proposed purchase. In addition, Transport Canada has launched an online public consultations forum and you are encouraged to check it out at: https://letstalktransportation.ca/aircanada-airtransat and participate if interested.
We would appreciate your input by close of business Friday, December 27, 2019, by replying to the following email address: TC.natair-aernat.TC@tc.gc.ca. Please note that as a default, written submissions will be made public with an option for those that identify confidential and/or commercially sensitive information to do so via an annex which would be withheld from publication.
Feel free to contact Greg Zawadzki if you have any questions or, should you wish to meet in person, if feasible, or by teleconference, to share your views on the proposed merger.
Greg Zawadzki
Director, National Air Services Policy
Transport Canada
T 613-993-4361 / C 613-355-6237
greg.zawadzki@tc.gc.ca