Honourable senators, I know I can get on a bit of a roll when I’m speaking about robust competition, but don’t think I haven’t noticed when you quickly move away. Even now, just as I said the word “competition,” I saw a few of you look down at your phones. But today I want you to stop and listen, if you could, because I’ve got a story that’s stranger than fiction.

Canada’s outgoing Commissioner of Competition, Matthew Boswell, is the actual hero in a celebrated new stage production in Toronto called Rogers v. Rogers. A public servant working in a long-ignored corner of government has become the star of the stage. Now, how did that happen?

Over seven years, Matt Boswell transformed the Competition Bureau into a law enforcement agency with digital-era tools and teeth. In no small part, this was thanks to the commissioner valiantly fighting anti-competitive mergers like Rogers’ oligopoly-entrenching acquisition of Shaw in 2022. The merger was ultimately approved under Canada’s old and completely outdated Competition Act, but that loss motivated generational changes to that law.

When Commissioner Boswell steps down from his role on December 17, his leadership will be marked by many achievements. I’d like to focus on just three.

First, the bureau prioritized speaking in clear, plain language. Competition policy impacts the daily lives of every Canadian, but complex jargon made it inaccessible to all but the rarified world of competition lawyers and economists.

Second, the bureau used its evidence-based independence and made tough calls, challenging mergers and conduct based on principle, not popularity. In advocacy, it meant giving ministers, senators and MPs clear advice and direct answers about the sorry state of Canada’s competition laws and policies.

Lastly, he ensured that the bureau created the capacity to identify and respond to rapidly accelerating digital threats to competition, including how AI, algorithmic pricing and data portability impact both markets and consumers. It meant embracing AI tools to enhance detection and improve analysis and case processing. The bureau created the Digital Enforcement and Intelligence Branch, attracting technologists, data engineers and behavioural scientists so enforcement could keep pace with rapidly evolving markets.

The bureau’s incredibly talented and dedicated team is a beacon of thought leadership in the economic policy changes that are crucial to improving innovation, productivity and prosperity in Canada.

I truly hope that the bureau becomes a model for modernizing Canada’s public service. I wish he could be here today. Regardless, please join me in thanking Commissioner Matthew Boswell on his last day on the job for his exceptional leadership as Canada’s top cop in competition. Thanks very much.