[Last updated: 1 January 2025, unless otherwise noted]

The acquisition of a Canadian public company may be structured as a corporate transaction or a "takeover bid". The rules for acquiring a Canadian public company are complicated and involve aspects of securities, corporate and administrative law.

Corporate transactions typically take the form of a plan of arrangement (which requires court approval before implementation), statutory amalgamation or other corporate reorganization, and require the approval of the target's shareholders.

A takeover bid is the Canadian equivalent of a US tender offer. The acquirer must follow a prescribed process when launching and completing a bid.