荔枝视频

The 荔枝视频鈥檚 Department of Economics in the has launched a new program to provide a bridge between academic research and real-world policy challenges in the realm of competition and regulation in Canada. 

The objective of the (RPCR) is to create a dedicated hub for research, commentary, and education focused on the application of economic principles to Canadian regulatory and competition policy.

鈥淩egulatory economics considers the potential for government intervention to control the exercise of market power, while competition policy is intervention to preserve competition,鈥� explains , BA'84, PhD, emeritus professor in the and co-director of the RPCR. 

The subject matter and relevance of these areas are best illustrated by examples and relevant research questions:

• Why are there so many regulators involved in permitting interprovincial pipelines, including the and the , and what will be the effect of the changes in regulatory oversight in the Building Canada Act, included in Bill C-5?
• Should Google be allowed to enter exclusive contracts with Apple to make Google Search the default search engine on the iPhone?
• Why were Rogers and Shaw permitted to merge, and should they have been allowed to merge?

Church says the creation of the RPCR is a response to regulation and competition policy becoming untethered from their economic moorings. Instead of interventions to promote wealth creation and enhance competition, Church says, the focus has been on redistribution, driven by political considerations.

鈥淐anada lacks a dedicated research program embedded within a university that focuses on the practice and policy of regulation and competition enforcement,鈥� says , PhD, professor and head of the Department of Economics and co-director of the RPCR. 

Hollis says the Economics department has a lot of expertise in these areas and the RPCR is an opportunity to effectively translate this expertise. 

鈥淭he RPCR will enhance engagement with the community, in terms of having a policy dialogue with Canadians, firms, governments and regulators about how we can do things better,鈥� adds Church. 

The RPCR also builds upon the existing Summer Internship in Regulatory Economics (SIRE) program offered by the department. After completing relevant course work that includes a research component, undergraduate students through SIRE are placed in regulatory and competition internships. 

鈥淚t has been tremendously successful and opened doors for students,鈥� says Hollis. 鈥淭he regulatory space in 荔枝视频 is substantially populated by students who came through this program.鈥� Over the past 26 years, more than 150 students have been placed with 25 employer organizations.

The co-directors want to preserve and enhance the SIRE program through the RPCR. They also want to focus the research in the program on Canadian policy issues. 

鈥淭here鈥檚 an emphasis on taking the specialized skills our researchers have and applying it to problems that impact Albertans and Canadians,鈥� says Church. 

Hollis says there is currently no independent voice in Canada in the areas of regulatory and competition policy. The RPCR would be able to provide that independent voice and critical commentary on these issues.

鈥淕ood regulation and competition policy are essential to enhance productivity and to protect consumers,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he RPCR will help to improve policies that are important for every Canadian.鈥�

As its inaugural event, RPCR is hosting a conference to explore Canada鈥檚 experience with regulatory oversight of major projects. The 2026 RPCR Conference 鈥� Regulatory Reform in Canada: A Discussion and Assessment of Bill C-5 鈥� will be in 荔枝视频 on April 29. The conference will address this important legislation from both economic and legal perspectives.

To learn more about RPCR, as well as its inaugural event and to register for the conference, visit .