The judges of the 2024 Canadian Law Awards named Rogers Communications’ $26 billion acquisition of Shaw Communications as winner of the M&A Deal of the Year. As one of the firms involved in the matter, Osler was recognized for its role in making the landmark deal happen.
Osler acted as lead counsel for Quebecor as the company and its wholly owned subsidiary Videotron Ltd. acquired Freedom Mobile for $2.85 billion — a sale which was required in order for the acquisition of Shaw Communications by Rogers Communications to be approved by Canadian regulators. The combination of Freedom and Videotron created a strong and much-needed fourth national wireless services provider.
The Osler team that handled the matter was led by Niko Veilleux and composed of, mainly, Sophie Amyot, Matthew Oliver, Jean-Philippe Bertrand, Véronique Fortin Latreille, Samuel Cantin, Samuel Alary (Corporate), Julien Ranger, Jeremy Perron (Pensions and Benefits), Bryce Kustra, Caroline Stephens (Real Estate), Sam Ip (Technology), Joanna Fine, Catherine Hart (Privacy and Data Management), Manon Thivierge, David Wilson (Tax) and our OWT team members (Due Diligence).
The 2024 Canada Law Awards were handed out on May 9, 2024, in Toronto. According to the event organizers, hundreds of nominations were submitted from firms and legal departments across the country.
Osler also earned recognition as an Excellence Awardee with five additional nominations:
- Insolvency and Restructuring Deal of the Year for Groupe Selection’s financial restructuring under CCAA — Osler acted for Groupe Montoni, Royal Bank of Canada
- Insolvency and Restructuring Deal of the Year for Xebec and its affiliates’ restructuring under CCAA — Osler acted for Xebec
- M&A Deal of the Year for TotalEnergies’ $5.5 billion sale of its Canadian oil and gas assets — Osler was lead for ConocoPhillips
- Commercial Litigation Team of the Year for the case Sandoz Canada Inc. v. British Columbia, 2023 BCCA 306 — Osler was counsel for Sanis Health Inc. and Shoppers Drug Mart Inc.
- Commercial Litigation Team of the Year for the case Workman Optometry Corporation et al. v. Certas Home and Auto Insurance et al. 2022 ONSC 597 — Osler represented Economical Mutual Insurance.
The Canadian Law Awards, presented by Lexpert, recognize Canada’s leading law firms, in-house legal teams, individuals, and landmark deals that reflect excellence in the legal profession. For more information, please visit the Canadian Law Awards.
