Rogers-Shaw deal: Feds throw up new roadblock

Roger Communications is facing yet another hurdle in its $20-billion pursuit of Shaw Communications, the largest deal in Canadian telecom history.

In a release Tuesday, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne announced he was officially rejecting the transfer of wireless spectrum licenses between the two companies.

“Earlier this year, I stated that I would—under no circumstances—permit the wholesale transfer of wireless spectrum licences from Shaw to Rogers,” he said.

“Today, I officially denied that request, which had been pending before me. My decision formally closes that chapter of the original proposed transaction.”