SHAW, ROGERS AND QUEBECOR WELCOME THE
DECISION BY THE FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL
Companies are working to secure final approval of transactions
CALGARY, TORONTO and MONTREAL January, 24, 2023 Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., and Quebecor Inc. today provided the
following statement on the decision by the Federal Court of Appeal.
We welcome this clear, unequivocal, and unanimous decision by the Federal Court of
Appeal. We continue to work with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to secure the final approval needed to close the pro-competitive transactions and create a stronger fourth wireless carrier
in Canada and a more formidable wireline competitor.
Transactions Update
In a ruling from the bench, the Court dismissed the appeal by the Commissioner of Competition (the Commissioner) of the December 31, 2022,
decision of the Competition Tribunal. The Tribunal rejected the Commissioners challenge of the proposed acquisition of Freedom Mobile by Videotron Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Inc., and the subsequent
combination of Rogers and Shaw (the Transactions).
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne,
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, must approve spectrum license transfers from Shaw to Videotron in connection with the proposed acquisition of Freedom Mobile by Videotron before the combination of Rogers and Shaw can
proceed.
In addition to the decisions of the Federal Court of Appeal and the Competition Tribunal, the Rogers combination with Shaw has already been
approved by the shareholders of Shaw and the Court of Kings Bench of Alberta, and the transfer of Shaws broadcasting licences to Rogers has been approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.
The Transactions are subject to customary closing conditions.
Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release
includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements about outstanding regulatory approvals and the expected completion of both the sale of Freedom to Videotron
(the Freedom Transaction) and the Rogers-Shaw merger. Forward-looking information may in some cases be identified by words such as will, anticipates, believes, expects, intends
and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance.
We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and
uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward- looking information. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results