Mark Opashinov Photo
Mark Opashinov Photo
Mark Opashinov Photo

For 25 years Mark Opashinov has been helping Canadian and foreign businesses resolve their most challenging business law and complex regulatory matters. His clients include many S&P/TSX 60, Fortune 500, and European and Asian multinational corporations across a wide range of industries, including automotive, biotech, IT, consumer packaged goods, health care, pharma, mining, professional services, publishing, telecommunications and transportation, among others.

Mark is also a prominent competition, antitrust and foreign investment lawyer advising  on all aspects of Canadian competition and foreign investment law. With a significant transactional experience, he advises on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and reorganizations. Mark is recognized by Chambers Global, Chambers Canada,  Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert as a leading lawyer in competition/antitrust law.

Clients appreciate Mark’s efficiency in managing complex legal projects and his use of technology in the practice of law. Mark speaks and writes extensively on corporate and competition law matters. He is the past-president and a director of the University of Toronto Schools Alumni Association and current director of Opera Atelier.



Representative Matters

  • Ticketmaster in its defense of alleged deceptive marketing practices
  • Luxottica in connection with its US$54 billion merger with Essilor
  • SABMiller plc in its Canadian Competition Bureau clearance of its US $107 billion take-over by Anheuser Busch InBev SA/NV
  • MeadWestvaco Corp. in its US$16 billion merger with Rock-Tenn Company to create a leading global provider of consumer and corrugated packaging
  • Rogers Communications Inc. in its joint acquisition with BCE Inc. of GLENTEL Inc., a Canadian-based multi-carrier mobile products distributor operating close to 500 retail locations in Canada under banners that include WirelessWave, TBooth Wireless, and Wireless Etc.
  • Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA in its global book publishing joint venture with Pearson plc
  • PPG Industries, Inc. in its acquisition of North American architectural coatings business of Akzo Nobel N.V. (coatings)
  • Motorola Systems, Inc. in its acquisition of Psion plc (ruggedized computing technologies)
  • Patheon Inc. on the divestiture of its clinical packaging business to Bellwyck Packaging Solutions Inc. (packaging)
  • Royal & Sun Alliance in its acquisition of L’Union Canadienne, Compagnie d’Assurance from The Co-Operators Group (insurance)
  • The Coca-Cola Company in its acquisition of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (beverages)
  • Novartis AG in its acquisition of a majority interest in Alcon Inc. (ophthalmic pharmaceutical and eye-care products)
  • Royal & Sun Alliance in its acquisition of Glenstone Capital Incorporated, GCAN Insurance Company and Aldis Underwriting Managers Inc. (insurance)
  • Live Nation, Inc. in its merger with Ticketmaster, Inc. (concert promotion and ticketing)
  • Agrium Advanced Technologies on the acquisition of the business of Evergro Canada Inc. (manufacturing)

Speaking Engagements

Digital Media at the crossroads: What's in the Future for Canadian Creators?

January 20, 2023

Competition Enforcement in the Digital Age CBA's Annual Competition Law Spring Conference

May 7, 2019

First Mover Advantage: The Legalization of Adult Use Cannabis in Canada

October 30, 2018

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce

October 22, 2018

The Use of Technology and e-Discovery Principles Beyond Traditional Civil Litigation, The Advocates' Society

October 16, 2017

Megabytes and Market Power: Advising the Multinational Tech Company on Antitrust Issues

January 22, 2015

The Year in Review: What's New in Competition Law

October 23, 2014

Maintaining Your Competitive Advantage: What's New in Competition Law

October 16, 2014

Managing Regulatory Risk in the M&A Process: The Competition Act, the Investment Canada Act and Your Deal

April 2012

Legal Project Management for the Business Lawyer Presentation to Canadian Bar Association with Ann Gomez

December 2011

Legal Project Management for the Business Lawyer Presentation to Canadian Bar Association with Ann Gomez

May 2011

Managing Regulatory Risk in the M&A Process: The Competition Act, the Investment Canada Act and Your Deal

April 2011
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Teaching Engagements

Mark speaks frequently on corporate and competition law matters.

News



Rankings & Recognitions

  • Recognized in the 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Consistently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Competition Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Competition / Antitrust
  • Recognized in the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Consistently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Competition Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
  • Recognized in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Competition Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
  • Recognized in the 2021 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Competition Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2021) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
  • Recognized by the Best Lawyers in Canada (2021) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2021) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
  • Recognized in the 2020 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended lawyer in the area of Competition Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2020) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2020) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2020) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
  • Recognized by the 2019 Lexpert Guide to the US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyers in Canada as a leading Canadian lawyer in cross-border practices
  • Recognized in the 2019 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended lawyer in the area of Competition Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2019) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2019) as a leader in Competition/Antitrust
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2019) as a leading lawyer in the area of Competition / Antitrust Law
  • Recognized in the 2018 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended lawyer in the area of Competition Law
  • Ranked by Lexpert Guide (2018) as a leading US/Canada Cross-Border Lawyer in Canada
  • Recognized in Chambers Canada 2018 as a leading practitioner in the area of Competition and Antitrust law
  • Recognized in Chambers Global 2018 as a leading practitioner in the area of Competition and Antitrust law
  • Recognized in Chambers Canada 2017 as a leading practitioner in the area of Competition and Antitrust law
  • Recognized in Chambers Global 2017 as a leading practitioner in the area of Competition and Antitrust law

Community Involvement

  • Opera Atelier, Director
  • University of Toronto Schools Alumni Association, President and Director
  • Toronto Arts Council, Director and Secretary (2005-2011)

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association (Competition Law Section and Economics Committee Past-Chair)
  • American Bar Association (Antitrust Law and International Law)
  • Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats (Mergers & Acquisitions and Antitrust Commissions)

Education & Admissions

1998
Called to the Ontario bar
2010
LLM Osgoode Hall Law School
1996
LLB Queen's University
1993
MA Queen's University
1992
BA University of Toronto, Victoria College
1988
University of Toronto Schools

Publications

Insights (28 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

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.

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Mar 6, 2024
Featured Insight

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.

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Feb 28, 2024
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Merger Control 2024

The 2024 Canadian Chapter of Lexology Getting the Deal Through - Merger Control provides the most current and comprehensive information available on mergers and acquisitions under antitrust and competition law in Canada.

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Jan 18, 2024
Featured Insight

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.

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Dec 28, 2023
Featured Insight

Transformative Change: Your Guide to Canada’s Breathtaking Competition Act Changes

We provide a summary of far-reaching Competition Act amendments proposed in 2023.

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Dec 5, 2023
Featured Insight

AI Regulatory Roundup – International Developments in AI Law and Policy

An overview of recent Canadian and international developments related to the regulation of artificial intelligence technologies.

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May 2, 2023
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Merger Control 2023

The 2023 Canadian Chapter of Lexology Getting the Deal Through - Merger Control provides the most current and comprehensive information available on mergers and acquisitions under antitrust and competition law in Canada.

Read More
Nov 1, 2022
Featured Insight

Round One of Competition Act Amendments Passed; National Security Review Regime Amended

New amendments to the Competition Act were passed today as part of the budget implementation bill.

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Jun 27, 2022
Featured Insight

Significant Changes Coming to Canada’s Competition Act

The Canadian federal government has introduced a series of significant changes to Canada's Competition Act.

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May 3, 2022
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Merger Control 2022

Regulatory scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions looks set to continue to intensify around the globe, with all signs pointing towards an even more complex and dynamic regulatory landscape for businesses to navigate in 2021 and beyond.

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Nov 2, 2021
Featured Insight

Emerging Competition & Data Privacy Issues for Real Estate Organizations

Changes to Canada’s privacy laws, developments with low-commission brokerages and changes to short-term rental regulations will impact real estate associations.

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Feb 2, 2021
Featured Insight

Competition Law Recap: Key Takeaways from 2020 (January 27, 2021)

2020 has been an interesting and challenging year as economies grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details
January 27, 2021 - 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm ET
Featured Insight

Oil and Gas Sector Consolidation Invites Competition Bureau Reviews

With the recent surge in M&A activity in the oil and gas sector, the Competition Bureau may call on industry participants to investigate some of these deals.

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Nov 17, 2020
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Merger Control 2021

Getting the Deal Through - Merger Control 2021

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Nov 9, 2020

Canadian Competition Act and Investment Canada Act

Canadian Competition Act and Investment Canada Act

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Feb 3, 2020
Featured Insight

Competition Law Recap: Key Takeaways from 2019

Join Competition lawyers Janine MacNeil and Mark Opashinov for everything you need to know about the year's developments in mergers, refusals to deal, price maintenance, abuse of dominant market position, cartel enforcement, misleading and deceptive advertising.

Dec 17, 2019
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Merger Control 2020

2020 Canadian Chapter of Lexology GTDT - Merger Control provides the most current and comprehensive information available on mergers and acquisitions under antitrust and competition law in Canada.

Read More
Sep 1, 2019
Featured Insight

Competition Law Recap: Key Takeaways from 2018

Competition Law Recap: Key Takeaways from 2018

Dec 6, 2018

Getting the Deal Through (Canada Chapter) – Merger Control 2019

The 2019 Canadian Chapter of Getting the Deal Through - Merger Control provides current and comprehensive information on mergers and acquisitions in Canada.

Read More
Nov 29, 2018
Featured Insight

First Mover Advantage: The Legalization of Adult Use Cannabis in Canada

Whether you are new to the cannabis industry, interested in starting a cannabis business, or have been seizing opportunities for a while — join us for an interactive day on the strategic and legal implications of the legalization of cannabis in Canada.

Details
October 30, 2018 - 7:30 am to 3:35 pm
Featured Insight

Proposed Changes to the Competition Bureau’s Immunity Program Will Undermine Effective Cartel Enforcement in Canada – Comments of McMillan LLP on the Consultation Draft dated October 26, 2017

Several proposed revisions to Immunity Program under the Competition Act will have unintended but serious consequence of decreasing applications for immunity

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Jan 1, 2018
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through (Canada Chapter) – Merger Control 2018

The pathway to successfully navigating the merger and antitrust challenges for Canadian and international transactions has changed considerably within the past decade

Read More
Jan 1, 2018
Featured Insight

Government of Canada Provides Valuable Guidance on National Security Review of Foreign Investment in Canada

Government of Canada Provides Valuable Guidance on National Security Review of Foreign Investment in Canada

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Jan 3, 2017
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Merger Control 2018 (Canada Chapter)

Getting the Deal Through – Merger Control 2018 (Canada Chapter)

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Jan 1, 2017
Featured Insight

Competition Bureau Issues Consent Agreement Template

Competition Bureau Issues Consent Agreement Template

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Sep 29, 2016
Featured Insight

Video Games as Canadian Culture: Navigating the Investment Canada Act in Interactive Entertainment Acquisitions

Video Games as Canadian Culture: Navigating the Investment Canada Act in Interactive Entertainment Acquisitions

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May 31, 2016
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Merger Control 2016, Canada Chapter

Getting the Deal Through - Merger Control 2016, Canada Chapter

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Jan 1, 2016
Featured Insight

Competition Bureau’s Draft Intellectual Property Enforcement Guidelines Provide Welcome Clarity on Bureau Treatment of Intellectual Property

Competition Bureau's Draft Intellectual Property Enforcement Guidelines Provide Welcome Clarity on Bureau Treatment of Intellectual Property

Read More
Jul 2, 2015

Deals & Cases (8 Posts)

Featured Insight

McMillan Advises Sunwing Airlines on its Successful Merger with the WestJet Group

On May 1, 2023, Sunwing Airlines completed its merger with The WestJet Group. This marks the third successful airline merger in Canada within the last two decades.

Read More
May 1, 2023
Featured Insight

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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Mar 1, 2023
Featured Insight

Live Nation Entertainment forms strategic partnership with evenko

Live Nation Entertainment forms strategic partnership with evenko

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Dec 19, 2019
Featured Insight

Competition Bureau Clears SABMiller/AB InBev Global Beer Merger

Competition Bureau Clears SABMiller/AB InBev Global Beer Merger

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May 31, 2016
Featured Insight

NOVACAP sells Fibrenoire shares to Videotron for $125M

NOVACAP sells Fibrenoire shares to Videotron for $125M

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Jan 7, 2016
Featured Insight

MeadWestvaco Corp. secures regulatory clearance on $16B merger with Rock-Tenn Co.

MeadWestvaco Corp. secures regulatory clearance on $16B merger with Rock-Tenn Co.

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Jul 31, 2015
Featured Insight

Capgemini Secures Regulatory Clearance for iGATE Takeover

Capgemini Secures Regulatory Clearance for iGATE Takeover

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Jul 1, 2015
Featured Insight

RSA Canada Acquires GCAN Insurance from Teachers’

RSA Canada Acquires GCAN Insurance from Teachers'

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Jan 7, 2011