I was wondering if anyone was aware of, or could give examples of big corporate mergers that resulted in lower prices or better deals for consumers.
Thinking about airlines, telcos and pharmaceuticals, to name a few examples. It does not seem very obvious to me that these were successful for consumers. Of course, the law often suggests to suggest in practice that there may be the mere potential for consumer benefit. Has this been realized more than I think?
(Crickets chirp. Bees buzz.)
Reason I ask is that our competition people have recently broadened the idea not just to reflect prices but also consumer, innovation and the business environment. On one hand, the law seems very vague, unclear and arbitrary processes are bad for business. On the other hand, businesses sometimes consider bad behaviour a cost unless there are personal consequences, as an article in today’s Globe and Mail decries.
(Laughs in Rogers/Bell/Telus)