Justine Johnston

Antitrust, Competition & Foreign Investment

Justine advises clients on all aspects of Canadian competition law, with a particular focus on obtaining competition clearance in domestic, cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions. She provides strategic advice to clients regarding criminal and civil investigations, including for allegations of conspiracy and abuse of dominance, and advises on pricing and distribution practices, and all other compliance matters.

Justine regularly advises clients on the application of the Investment Canada Act, and has recent experience guiding clients through industrial, cultural and national security processes and reviews. In addition, she has significant experience working with government and public relations advisors in connection with securing regulatory approvals for high-profile transactions.

Justine also has extensive experience with e-discovery processes related to merger review, criminal and civil investigations, and internal compliance. Justine draws on her experience to facilitate client’s compliance in a timely and efficient manner.

• Advised Sika AG on competition and foreign investment review aspects of its EUR 5.3 billion acquisition of the MBCC Group, and the divestment of MBCC's admixtures business in the United States, Canada, the UK, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand to INEOS.
• Advised Onex Corporation on regulatory requirements for its CAD 5 billion acquisition of WestJet Airlines Ltd. In particular, obtained competition clearance under the Competition Act, public interest approval under the Canada Transportation Act, and a determination from the Canadian Transportation Agency that the airline continued to meet Canadian ownership and control requirements.
• Advised Essilor International S.A. on competition and foreign investment review aspects of its EUR 46 billion global combination with Luxottica Group S.p.A.
• Advised Newmont Corporation on competition and foreign investment review aspects of its USD 10 billion merger with Goldcorp Inc.
• Advised Altria Inc. on the foreign investment review aspects of its CAD 2.4 billion minority investment in the Cronos Group Inc.
• Advised a Canadian client in defense of criminal investigation and civil class actions related to allegations of price fixing.
• Advised a Canadian client on the competition aspects of a joint venture in the agricultural retail sector.
• Advised a Canadian client on competition and public interest review aspects of the sale of its transportation business.

• Recognized in WWL's Competition Future Leaders - Non-Partners 2023 category

• Law Society of Ontario
• Canadian Bar Association (Competition Law and Foreign Investment Review, Vice Chair of the Reviewable Matters and Unilateral Conduct Committee)
• Ontario Bar Association
• American Bar Association (Section of Antitrust Law)