The Competition Bureau has entered into a consent agreement with Superior Plus Corp. to address competition concerns with its acquisition of Certarus Ltd.
A Bureau review concluded that the proposed transaction would likely result in a substantial lessening of competition for the retail supply of portable heating fuels - propane and natural gas - for industrial customers in Northern Ontario.
In addition to Superior and Certarus being each other's closest competitor for the supply of portable heating fuels to industrial customers in Northern Ontario, there is a limited number of alternative suppliers and barriers to entry are high.
To resolve the Bureau's concerns, Superior has agreed to sell eight propane distribution hubs in Northern Ontario, including customer contracts and associated operating assets at each hub. The sale will be made to an independent purchaser to be approved by the Commissioner of Competition.
The Bureau is satisfied that the sale will resolve the competitive issues arising from the proposed transaction.
