OECD Reviews of Regulatory Reform OECD Reviews of Regulatory Reform

Canada, one of the OECD's strongest economies, has a mature, effective and innovative system of regulatory governance closely linked to the government's public policy goals. Canadians attach growing priority to health, safety and the environment, and seek a balance among economic, competitiveness and social goals. This is a demanding agenda: in international trade - a major driver of the economy - Canada needs to maintain a careful balance between bilateral and multilateral liberalisation efforts. Further work is needed to improve the effectiveness of the single internal market. Competition policy needs to make a much stronger contribution to regulatory reform and market openness. Despite a positive policy shift, some important sectors are protected through import and foreign ownership restrictions. The recently launched government's Innovation Strategy is expected to make a major contribution to address these challenges. Canada is one of many OECD countries to request a broad review by the OECD of its regulatory practices and reforms. This review presents an overall picture, set within a macro-economic context, of regulatory achievements and challenges including the quality of the public sector, competition policy and market openness. It also assesses progress in the telecommunications sector. The background material used to prepare this report is available at: www.oecd.org/regreform/backgroundreports The policy starting point for these reviews is presented in the OECD Report on Regulatory Reform: Synthesis, and the supporting two-volume OECD Report on Regulatory Reform: Sectoral and Thematic Studies, published in 1997. Table of contents in English Executive Summary PART I. REGULATORY REFORM IN CANADA Chapter 1. Maintaining Leadership Through Innovation -Introduction -The Macroeconomic Context for Regulatory Reform -The Strengths and Successes of Regulatory Reform -The Challenges Confronting Future Regulatory Performance -Conclusion PART II. REGULATORY POLICIES AND OUTCOMES Chapter 2. Regulatory Governance -Background -Conclusion -Policy Options for Consideration Chapter 3. Competition Policy -Background -Conclusion -Policy Options for Consideration Chapter 4. Market Openness -Background -Conclusion -Policy Options for Consideration Chapter 5. The Telecommunications Sector -Background -Conclusion -Policy Options for Consideration Appendix Bibliography