Canada’s Competition Tribunal has cleared a path for Rogers’ proposed acquisition of Shaw to go ahead.

The Tribunal dismissed an application by the competition watchdog to block the proposed $26-billion merger.

In its decision Thursday, the Tribunal said the deal is “not likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially.”

“In other words, the Merger and Divestiture are not likely to result in materially higher prices, relative to those that would likely prevail in the absence of the arrangement,” said the decision.

As part of the deal, Shaw would sell Freedom Mobile to Quebecor-owned Videotron Ltd.

Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition, said he is disappointed that the Tribunal dismissed the Competition Bureau’s application.

“We are carefully considering our next steps,” Boswell said in a statement.

The merger still has to be approved by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.