Bureau Resolves Competition Concerns Over Fine Paper Merger

Ottawa, March 1, 2006 – The Competition Bureau is filing a consent agreement today with the Competition Tribunal requiring PaperlinX Canada, formerly Coast Paper Ltd., to divest Cascades Fine Paper Group Inc.’s fine paper merchant business in Alberta and British Columbia. This resolves the Bureau’s concerns arising from PaperlinX Canada’s acquisition of the fine paper merchant and distribution assets of Cascades.

“Our goal is to ensure that customers can benefit from competitive prices and choice in the market for fine paper,” said Gaston Jorré, Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Competition Bureau. “This agreement will preserve competition in the supply of fine paper to customers in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.”

Over the course of its review, the Bureau analysed the merger’s impact on competition in the industry and consulted with printers, distributors, and office paper users such as businesses, governments and institutions.

On November 17, 2005, PaperlinX Limited announced from its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia that it intended to acquire the paper distribution and merchant assets of Cascades through PaperlinX Canada. 

Fine paper is used by commercial printers for products ranging from brochures to books and by office paper users such as businesses, institutions and other consumers.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency. We contribute to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

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Eric Glaude
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(819) 953-9760 

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