Chris Margison, Counsel | Competition, Marketing & Foreign Investment

Chris Margison

Counsel
With experience gained from senior positions both in private practice and at the Competition Bureau, Chris is able to advise clients on all aspects of Canadian competition law in today’s fast-changing environment.
Jurisdiction Ontario, 2000
Language(s) English
Office(s) Toronto
Contact
Business +1 416 943 8975
Email [email protected]
Share

Overview

Chris Margison has over 20 years of private and public sector legal experience, including as Special Advisor to both the Commissioner of Competition and the Senior Deputy Commissioner, Cartels Directorate at the Competition Bureau.

With his background, Chris brings a number of attributes, such as the ability to provide critical advice, guidance and recommendations in a timely fashion on all aspects of Canadian competition law. He has advised the Commissioner, Senior Deputy Commissioners and high-profile Canadian and international companies on mergers, strategic alliances, cartels, bid-rigging, abuse of dominance, distribution and pricing practices, and misleading advertising matters. He has been involved in several litigated matters before the Competition Tribunal, including as an integral part of the Competition Bureau’s case team in Commissioner of Competition v. Visa Canada Corporation. Chris has developed extensive experience in a wide variety of industries, including the agricultural, consumer products, entertainment, financial services, information technology, manufacturing, mining, pharmaceutical, plastics and telecommunications sectors.

Honours and Awards

  • Commissioner’s Merit Award Finalist, Competition Bureau, 2014
  • Commissioner’s Merit Award Winner, Competition Bureau, 2012
  • Deputy Commissioner’s Merit Award Winner, Competition Bureau, 2012 and 2014
  • Leading Lawyer in Advertising and Marketing, Lawday, 2009

Award Winning Transactions

  • Acted for Air Canada in connection with its acquisition of Aimia Inc.’s Aeroplan loyalty program , which was ranked by Lexpert as one of the top 10 deals of 2019
  • Acted for Knowlton Development Corporation Inc. in connection with its sale to a group of investors led by Cornell Capital LLC, a private investment firm based in New York and Hong Kong, which was awarded the 2019 Gold Deal of the Year by the 21st annual Canadian Private Equity Summit Awards

Related Services

Practices

Achievements

  • Recognized in Competition / Antitrust Law in Toronto, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2022 to 2026
  • Recognized as Recommended in Competition, Lexology Index 2021 to 2025
  • Recognized nationwide in Canada in Competition/Antritrust, Chambers Global 2024
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Competition Law, Lexpert 2024
  • Recognized nationwide in Competition/Antitrust, Chambers Canada 2023 to 2024
Best Lawyers Publication name with laurels The Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized in Competition / Antitrust Law in Toronto Best Lawyers is an attorney ranking service. For more than 30 years, it has identified lawyers best qualified to represent clients in various jurisdictions and specialties Read more
Lexology Index Lexology Index Recognized as Recommended in Competition Lexology Index features over 24,000 of the world’s leading private practice lawyers from over 150 national jurisdictions. Read more
Chambers & Partners Publication name with laurels Chambers Global Recognized nationwide in Canada in Competition/Antritrust The Chambers Global Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms in over 190 countries across the world. Read more
Best Lawyers Publication name with laurels The Best Lawyers in Canada Recognized in Competition / Antitrust Law in Toronto Best Lawyers is an attorney ranking service. For more than 30 years, it has identified lawyers best qualified to represent clients in various jurisdictions and specialties Read more
Lexology Index Lexology Index Recognized as Recommended in Competition Lexology Index features over 24,000 of the world’s leading private practice lawyers from over 150 national jurisdictions. Read more
Chambers & Partners Publication name with laurels Chambers Global Recognized nationwide in Canada in Competition/Antritrust The Chambers Global Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms in over 190 countries across the world. Read more
Lexpert Publication name with laurels Lexpert Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Competition Law The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory is the most comprehensive guide of legal talent in Canada Read more
Chambers & Partners Publication name with laurels Chambers Canada Recognized nationwide in Competition/Antitrust Chambers Canada Guide covers lawyers and law firms practicing in all provinces and territories in Canada Read more

Experience

  • SCI Capital Partners and Reddy Ice acquire Arctic Glacier, [Deal - SCI Capital Partners and Reddy Ice], Investment advisory firm and ice products manufacturer acquire Canadian ice products provider
  • Acera Insurance Services Ltd. and Navacord Corp. merge to form one of Canada’s largest privately held insurance, employee benefits and wealth advisory firms, [Deal - Acera Insurance Services Ltd.], Acera Insurance Services Ltd. and Navacord Corp. merge to form one of the largest privately held insurance, employee benefits and wealth advisory firms in Canada.
  • GATX Corporation and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. completes acquisition of Wells Fargo’s rail operating lease portfolio., [Deal - GATX Corporation and Brookfield Infrastructure Group Inc.], GATX Corporation and Brookfield Infrastructure Group Inc. complete the acquisition of Wells Fargo’s rail operating and finance lease portfolios.
  • La Caisse completed the acquisition of Innergex for C$10 billion, [Deal - Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec], Acquisition of Innergex by la Caisse.
  • Macquarie Equipment Finance Ltd. completes sale of enterprise IT and related equipment lease portfolio to CCA Financial, [Deal - ], Ontario-based equipment leasing company and subsidiary of global financial services firm Macquarie Group completes sale of its enterprise IT and related equipment lease portfolio to CCA Financial, a leading independent provider of equipment and technology leasing solutions.
  • Q2 Artificial Lift Services announces acquisition of Lufkin Industries’ North America downhole business, [Deal - Q2 Artificial Lift Services], Acquisition of Lufkin Industries’ North American downhole business.
  • Forum’s C$1.7 billion combination with Alignvest Student Housing, [Deal - Forum Asset Management Inc. and Forum Real Estate Income and Impact Fund], Real estate and private equity focused asset manager completes significant acquisition to create leading owner/provider of purpose-built student accommodations in Canada.
  • Harnois Énergies and Michaud Petroleum get the green light from the Competition Bureau of Canada for the creation of Michaud Harnois Énergies, [Deal - Harnois Énergies Inc.], Harnois Énergies and Michaud Petroleum receive approval from the Competition Bureau of Canada to create the joint venture Michaud Harnois Énergies operating in New Brunswick.
  • Blue Wolf Capital Partners completed the acquisition of LOGISTEC Corporation, [Deal - LOGISTEC Corporation], Acquisition of LOGISTEC Corporation by Blue Wolf Capital Partners.
Deal Advised SCI Capital Partners and Reddy Ice SCI Capital Partners and Reddy Ice acquire Arctic Glacier Investment advisory firm and ice products manufacturer acquire Canadian ice products provider Read more
Deal Advised Acera Insurance Services Ltd. Acera Insurance Services Ltd. and Navacord Corp. merge to form one of Canada’s largest privately held insurance, employee benefits and wealth advisory firms Acera Insurance Services Ltd. and Navacord Corp. merge to form one of the largest privately held insurance, employee benefits and wealth advisory firms in Canada. Read more
Deal Advised GATX Corporation and Brookfield Infrastructure Group Inc. GATX Corporation and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. completes acquisition of Wells Fargo’s rail operating lease portfolio. GATX Corporation and Brookfield Infrastructure Group Inc. complete the acquisition of Wells Fargo’s rail operating and finance lease portfolios. Read more
Deal Advised Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec La Caisse completed the acquisition of Innergex for C$10 billion Acquisition of Innergex by la Caisse. Read more
Deal Macquarie Equipment Finance Ltd. completes sale of enterprise IT and related equipment lease portfolio to CCA Financial Ontario-based equipment leasing company and subsidiary of global financial services firm Macquarie Group completes sale of its enterprise IT and related equipment lease portfolio to CCA Financial, a leading independent provider of equipment and technology leasing solutions. Read more
Deal Advised Q2 Artificial Lift Services Q2 Artificial Lift Services announces acquisition of Lufkin Industries’ North America downhole business Acquisition of Lufkin Industries’ North American downhole business. Read more
Deal Advised Forum Asset Management Inc. and Forum Real Estate Income and Impact Fund Forum’s C$1.7 billion combination with Alignvest Student Housing Real estate and private equity focused asset manager completes significant acquisition to create leading owner/provider of purpose-built student accommodations in Canada. Read more
Deal Advised Harnois Énergies Inc. Harnois Énergies and Michaud Petroleum get the green light from the Competition Bureau of Canada for the creation of Michaud Harnois Énergies Harnois Énergies and Michaud Petroleum receive approval from the Competition Bureau of Canada to create the joint venture Michaud Harnois Énergies operating in New Brunswick. Read more
Deal Advised LOGISTEC Corporation Blue Wolf Capital Partners completed the acquisition of LOGISTEC Corporation Acquisition of LOGISTEC Corporation by Blue Wolf Capital Partners. Read more
All Experience

Career & Education

Education

  • LLB, Summa Cum Laude University of Ottawa
  • BBA University College of the Fraser Valley

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Vice-Chair, Economics and Law Committee of the Canadian Bar Association's Competition Law Section
  • Member, Law Society of Upper Canada
  • Member, Canadian Bar Association, including the National Competition Law Section
  • Member, Ontario Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association, including the Antitrust Law Section

Knowledge

  • Canada Maintains Competition Act Pre‑Merger Notification Threshold at C$93 million for 2026, 3/5/2026
  • Competition Bureau Releases Proposed Enforcement Guidelines: A New Framework for Addressing Anti-Competitive Conduct and Agreements, 11/19/2025
  • New Private Rights of Action Have Come into Force, 6/20/2025
  • Competition Bureau Finalizes Competitor Property Controls Guidance, 6/12/2025
  • Competition Bureau Outlines Preliminary Enforcement Approach on Competitor Property Controls, 8/29/2024
  • Series – The Evolving Competition Law Landscape in Canada: Part 5 – Private Competition Litigation, 7/22/2024
  • Series – The Evolving Competition Law Landscape in Canada: Part 4 – Deceptive Marketing Practices, 7/8/2024
  • Series – The Evolving Competition Law Landscape in Canada: Part 3 – Cartels, Agreements and Collaboration, 7/3/2024
  • Series – The Evolving Competition Law Landscape in Canada: Part 2 – Merger Review, 6/28/2024
  • Series – The Evolving Competition Law Landscape in Canada: Part 1 – Abuse of Dominance, 6/25/2024
Blog Post Canada Maintains Competition Act Pre‑Merger Notification Threshold at C$93 million for 2026 On March 2, 2026, the Competition Bureau announced that the transaction‑size threshold for pre‑merger notification under the Competition Act will remain at C$93 million in 2026, following a decision by the Minister of Industry. Historically, the transaction‑size threshold has been adjusted annual... Read more
Busy highways overlapping Blog Post Competition Bureau Releases Proposed Enforcement Guidelines: A New Framework for Addressing Anti-Competitive Conduct and Agreements Overview On October 31, 2025, the Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) released its draft Anti-Competitive Conduct and Agreements Enforcement Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) for public consultation. These Guidelines are lengthy and wide-ranging.  They represent an evolution in the Bureau’s approach to... Read more
Two business people Blog Post New Private Rights of Action Have Come into Force New private rights of action under the Competition Act (the “Act”) came into force on June 20, 2025. These new private rights of action are expected to lead to robust private litigation before Canada’s Competition Tribunal (the “Tribunal”). Read more
Blog Post Canada Maintains Competition Act Pre‑Merger Notification Threshold at C$93 million for 2026 On March 2, 2026, the Competition Bureau announced that the transaction‑size threshold for pre‑merger notification under the Competition Act will remain at C$93 million in 2026, following a decision by the Minister of Industry. Historically, the transaction‑size threshold has been adjusted annual... Read more
Busy highways overlapping Blog Post Competition Bureau Releases Proposed Enforcement Guidelines: A New Framework for Addressing Anti-Competitive Conduct and Agreements Overview On October 31, 2025, the Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) released its draft Anti-Competitive Conduct and Agreements Enforcement Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) for public consultation. These Guidelines are lengthy and wide-ranging.  They represent an evolution in the Bureau’s approach to... Read more
Two business people Blog Post New Private Rights of Action Have Come into Force New private rights of action under the Competition Act (the “Act”) came into force on June 20, 2025. These new private rights of action are expected to lead to robust private litigation before Canada’s Competition Tribunal (the “Tribunal”). Read more
Looking up view on financial buildings Blog Post Competition Bureau Finalizes Competitor Property Controls Guidance On June 4, 2025, the Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) published updated guidance (the “Guidance”) that describes its approach to competitor property controls under the Competition Act (the “Act”). In this regard, competitor property controls are restrictions that limit how commercial real estate can be used by others. Read more
cityscape at night Blog Post Competition Bureau Outlines Preliminary Enforcement Approach on Competitor Property Controls The Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) recently published interim guidance (the “Guidance”) outlining its preliminary enforcement approach to competitor property controls under the Competition Act (the “Act”). The Guidance was published after Parliament’s recent amendments to the Act in Bill C-59 and Bill C-56 expanded the scope of the civil collaboration and abuse of dominance provisions. Read more
cityscape at night Blog Post Series – The Evolving Competition Law Landscape in Canada: Part 5 – Private Competition Litigation Bill C-59 and its significant expansion of private competition litigation: Where are we now? Recognizing the critical role of the Competition Act (the “Act”) in promoting dynamic and fair markets, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced on February 7, 2022 that he would carefully consider ways to modernize and Read more

Events

  • Antitrust/Competition, Foreign Investment & Marketing Laws in the Face of COVID-19: Where We Are, Where We Are Going, 4/7/2020
man looking out window in tall building Webinar Antitrust/Competition, Foreign Investment & Marketing Laws in the Face of COVID-19: Where We Are, Where We Are Going In a webinar hosted by Fasken’s Antitrust/Competition & Marketing Group, featuring the most recent former Commissioner of Competition, John Pecman, and other members of the ACM Group, we will discuss and answer questions regarding these impacts (including merger review, competitor collaborations, enforcement priorities, investigative and adjudicative delays, national security, deceptive marketing claims, refusals to deal and price gouging), forecast future developments and offer practical strategies for businesses. About the event
man looking out window in tall building Webinar Antitrust/Competition, Foreign Investment & Marketing Laws in the Face of COVID-19: Where We Are, Where We Are Going In a webinar hosted by Fasken’s Antitrust/Competition & Marketing Group, featuring the most recent former Commissioner of Competition, John Pecman, and other members of the ACM Group, we will discuss and answer questions regarding these impacts (including merger review, competitor collaborations, enforcement priorities, investigative and adjudicative delays, national security, deceptive marketing claims, refusals to deal and price gouging), forecast future developments and offer practical strategies for businesses. About the event

News

  • Fasken’s Bench Strength Shines at Inaugural Canadian Law Awards with M&A Deal of the Year Win, 10/9/2020
  • Parr-global.com quotes Chris Margison in an article about the pandemic’s effect on the economy, 5/13/2020
  • Parr-global.com quotes Chris Margison in an article about Canadian Competition Bureau's statement on the H&R Transport deal efficiency defence, 5/6/2020
  • Canadian Lawyer Magazine quotes Chris Margison and Tony Baldanza in an article about how the Competition Bureau is doubling down on enforcement, 4/6/2020
  • Fasken “Recommended” by GCR 100 for the 8th Consecutive Year, 1/30/2020
  • Novacap Awarded Canadian Private Equity Summit Awards 2019 Deal of the Year for its successful sale of Knowlton Development Corporation, 11/21/2019
Fasken’s Bench Strength Shines at Inaugural Canadian Law Awards with M&A Deal of the Year Win News Release | Rankings & Recognitions Fasken’s Bench Strength Shines at Inaugural Canadian Law Awards with M&A Deal of the Year Win Fasken has been recognized as a Gold winner in the M&A Deal of the Year category at the 2020 inaugural Canadian Law Awards Read more
MediaCoverage-1 Media Coverage Parr-global.com quotes Chris Margison in an article about the pandemic’s effect on the economy “Pandemic's effect on economy likely to increase use of failing firm defense in deal reviews, attorneys say” by Mark Coakley, Parr-global.com Read more
MediaCoverage-1 Media Coverage Parr-global.com quotes Chris Margison in an article about Canadian Competition Bureau's statement on the H&R Transport deal efficiency defence “Canadian Competition Bureau's statement on H&R Transport deal sheds light on efficiency defence, attorneys say” by Mark Coakley, Parr-global.com Read more
Fasken’s Bench Strength Shines at Inaugural Canadian Law Awards with M&A Deal of the Year Win News Release | Rankings & Recognitions Fasken’s Bench Strength Shines at Inaugural Canadian Law Awards with M&A Deal of the Year Win Fasken has been recognized as a Gold winner in the M&A Deal of the Year category at the 2020 inaugural Canadian Law Awards Read more
MediaCoverage-1 Media Coverage Parr-global.com quotes Chris Margison in an article about the pandemic’s effect on the economy “Pandemic's effect on economy likely to increase use of failing firm defense in deal reviews, attorneys say” by Mark Coakley, Parr-global.com Read more
MediaCoverage-1 Media Coverage Parr-global.com quotes Chris Margison in an article about Canadian Competition Bureau's statement on the H&R Transport deal efficiency defence “Canadian Competition Bureau's statement on H&R Transport deal sheds light on efficiency defence, attorneys say” by Mark Coakley, Parr-global.com Read more
MediaCoverage-1 Media Coverage Canadian Lawyer Magazine quotes Chris Margison and Tony Baldanza in an article about how the Competition Bureau is doubling down on enforcement “Competition Bureau doubles down on enforcement” by Elizabeth Raymer, Canadian Lawyer Magazine Read more
Fasken “Recommended” by GCR 100 for the 8th Consecutive Year News Release | Rankings & Recognitions Fasken “Recommended” by GCR 100 for the 8th Consecutive Year Toronto (Canada) – Fasken has been recognized in the 20th edition of the GCR 100 for the eighth consecutive year. The guide, published by Global Competition Review, has provided a listing of the world’s top competition practices for two decades and features firms in more than 50 jurisdictions for... Read more
Novacap Awarded Canadian Private Equity Summit Awards 2019 Deal of the Year for its successful sale of Knowlton Development Corporation News Release | Rankings & Recognitions Novacap Awarded Canadian Private Equity Summit Awards 2019 Deal of the Year for its successful sale of Knowlton Development Corporation Toronto (Canada) – Fasken congratulates Novacap and thanks the 21st annual Canadian Private Equity Summit for naming Novacap’s “Project Nexus” Deal team as the Gold winner for 2019 Deal of the Year. The Private Equity Summit Awards honour individuals and firms who established exemplary achievemen... Read more

Publications

  • No Poach and Wage Fixing Agreements - A Canadian Perspective, 6/1/2021
  • Carswells Legal Alert (2002- July 2010), 7/31/2010
  • Foreign Investment Review in Canada The New Rules, 1/1/2010
  • ABA Antitrust Sections Joint Conduct Committee E-Bulletin (Spring 2004- Winter 2009), 12/31/2009
  • Joint Ventures in Canada (2005-2009), 12/31/2009
  • Damages in Competition Law, 1/1/2005
  • The Consent Order Process Post-Ultramar and Looking Ahead, 1/1/2002
  • Merger Review in Canada, 1/1/2001
Article, Co-Author No Poach and Wage Fixing Agreements - A Canadian Perspective Competition Law International (CLI) | International Bar Association Read more
Carswells Legal Alert (2002- July 2010) Regular contributions to the Competition Law Section of Carswell’s Legal Alert
Article, Co-Author Foreign Investment Review in Canada The New Rules