Beth Riley
403.531.4714
- English
Beth Riley is a renowned lawyer with a broad range of experience in competition / antitrust and foreign investment. With extensive capital markets experience, she has great insight into addressing complex business issues and the needs of clients, including in particular clients in Alberta’s energy sector, which is a distinctive aspect of her competition practice. Beth brings a unique perspective on the workings of the Competition Bureau having served as an officer assessing mergers under the Competition Act prior to practicing law.
Beth advises Canadian and international clients involved in mergers, joint ventures and other alliances on the notification and clearance provisions of the Competition Act and the Investment Canada Act. She also advises on anticompetitive business practices and the development of corporate compliance policies.
Beth also has extensive experience in capital markets matters and securities offerings, public and private mergers and acquisitions, in addition to advising clients regarding corporate governance, shareholder activism and general regulatory compliance.
Beth has been recognized amongst the World’s Leading Lawyers for Business by Chambers Global in Competition and Antitrust, as well as by Lexpert as one of the most frequently recommended lawyers in Competition Law.
Expertise
Speaking Engagements
Panelist, "The Hound of the Class Action: Recent Class Action Development", Canadian Transport Lawyers Association, Montréal
October 21, 2023Teaching Engagements
- University of Calgary, Sessional instructor at the Faculty of Law, University of Calgary: Business Law 656 – Mergers & Acquisitions (2016 – present)
News
Media Mentions
- “Top 10 Influential Canadian Competition/Antitrust Lawyers: Insights and Expertise,” by Business Today News (July 10, 2023)
Rankings & Recognitions
- Recognized by Chambers Canada (2025) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2025) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
- Recognized in the 2024 Who’s Who Legal: Competition Guide
- Recognized in the 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Most Frequently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Competition Law and a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Mergers & Acquisitions
- Recognized by Chambers Global (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
- Recognized in the 2024 Lexpert/ALM500 Guide as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition
- Recognized by Chambers Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
- Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2023 as a leader in Competition
- Listed in the 2023 Who’s Who Legal: Competition Guide as Recommended in the area of Competition Law
- Recognized in the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Most Frequently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Competition
- Recognized by Chambers Global (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
- Recognized in the 2022 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Litigation Lawyers as a Leading Litigation Lawyer
- Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Ranked, Competition/Antitrust (2021/2022);
- Chambers Canada – Ranked, Competition/Antitrust (2021/2022);
- Lexpert: Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory (Most Frequently Recommended – Competition Law), (2021/2022);
- Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada, Lexpert Special Edition – Energy and Litigation (2021/2022);
- Best Lawyers in Canada and Who’s Who Legal (2021/2022)
Education & Admissions
Publications
- “The Chambers ESG 2024 Guide” coauthor with Jennie Baek, Jason Haley, Sharon G.K. Singh, William Pellerin and Radha Curpen, Chamber and Partners (November 12, 2024)
- “Foreign investment in critical minerals,” The Canadian Mining Journal (May 2023)
Insights (21 Posts)View More
Canada Expands Interim Measures and Disclosure Powers for Foreign Investment National Security Reviews
As of September 3, 2024, the Government has new powers it can use when conducting national security reviews under the Investment Canada Act
The Competition Bureau Goes Property Hunting (in Search of Anticompetitive Leases)
Analyzing the Competition Bureau's preliminary guidelines describing its approach for challenging competitor "property controls" in commercial leases
Changes to the Competition Act: What Merging Parties Need to Know
The Competition Act's amendments to Canada's merger review regime are significant, and merging parties should take note.
Bill C-59’s Expansion of the Competition Act’s Deceptive Marketing Practices: “Greenwashing” and Steering Clear of Environmental Misrepresentation
Guidance on the amendments to the deceptive marketing practices provisions in the Competition Act designed to "crack down" on "greenwashing".
Ready for Change? Bill C-59 Rewrites the Competition Playbook
Bill C-59 has been enacted, introducing significant changes to all aspects of Canada’s competition law regime.
New Era of Foreign Investment Scrutiny Starts in Canada with Passage of Investment Canada Act Amendment Bill
Bill C-34 amends the Investment Canada Act to enhance the government of Canada's national security review powers.
Canada’s New Policies on Investments in the Interactive Digital Media Sector
On March 1, 2024, the Canadian government introduced new policies to increase scrutiny of foreign investments in Canada's Interactive Digital Media sector.
2024 Changes to Canada’s Thresholds for Merger Notification and Investment Canada Act Reviews
Providing updates on the 2024 merger thresholds under Canada's Competition Act and Investment Canada Act.
Competition Act Amendments Proceed at Pace
Bill C-56, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, part of the federal government’s efforts to overhaul the Competition Act, has received Royal Assent.
Transformative Change: Your Guide to Canada’s Breathtaking Competition Act Changes
We provide a summary of far-reaching Competition Act amendments proposed in 2023.
Competition Bureau Settles Investigation into Deceptive Marketing Practices
Competition Bureau settles claims of deceptive marketing practices following investigation into pricing & marketing practices - $3.25MM penalty
Competition Act Amendments on a Rocket Docket
Bill C-56 introduces amendments to the Competition Act, which are described as addressing rising grocery prices, but which have much broader implications.
A Shopping Cart of Competition Law Changes
The Government announced amendments to the Competition Act as part of its announcement regarding combatting escalating grocery prices.
Key Developments in Competition & Foreign Investment Law: A Cross-Canada Update from McMillan’s National Team
Join us to explore key developments in Canadian competition and foreign investment law. Topics will include new no-poach / wage-fixing offence, Investment Canada Developments, technology markets, greenwashing, class action developments, upcoming Competition Act amendments and more!
Federal Court of Appeal Upholds Competition Tribunal’s Approach to the Controversial Efficiencies Defense
FCA decision on the Secure/Tervita merger confirmed the Competition Tribunal's earlier treatment of the efficiencies defence under s. 96 of the Competition Act.
Navigating to a Sustainable Energy Future: “Inefficient” Fossil Fuel Subsidies
This bulletin discusses the Government of Canada's recently-announced strategy to phase-out "inefficient" fossil fuel subsidies.
Alberta’s Carbon Pricing Emissions Trading System: Criminal Charges Laid
This bulletin discusses recent criminal charges brought under Alberta's emissions reporting and reduction legislation.
Modernization of the Investment Canada Act is Underway
The Canadian federal government introduced Bill C-34, An Act to Amend the Investment Canada Act, to modernize Canada’s national security regime.
Squeaky “Clean”: Competition Bureau Combats Greenwashing
Competition law developments aimed at addressing "greenwashing" (misleading environmental claims), including increased scrutiny by the Bureau.
Foreign Investment in Canada: Minerals are Critical and Annual Report Released
The government’s approach to reviewing foreign investment is evolving, with an increased focus on national security concerns.
Green or Grey: Regulators Target Greenwashing, Misleading Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Claims
An overview of risks and best practices for companies in relation to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) claims and disclosure.
Deals & Cases (3 Posts)
McMillan advises FTAI Aviation in its USD$170 Million acquisition of Lockheed Martin Commercial Engine Solutions
On September 9, 2024, FTAI Aviation Ltd. completed its previously announced agreement to purchase the Commercial Engine Solutions business of Lockheed Martin at the Montréal airport, for USD$170 million. The completion of the acquisition was subject to satisfactory customary regulatory approvals.
McMillan Advises Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. in Restructuring of Cyxtera Group of Companies
McMillan acted as counsel to Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. in its capacity as Court Appointed Information Officer in the restructuring of the Cyxtera Group of Companies under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and Part IV of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.
Domtar Corporation Acquires Resolute Forest Products
On July 5, 2022, Domtar Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Paper Excellence Group, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Resolute Forest Products Inc.
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