Study: pro-competitive reforms could lift Canada’s economy by up to 10% over the long term
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابAn independent, peer-reviewed study commissioned by the Competition Bureau Canada says removing regulatory barriers that limit competition could grow Canada’s economy by as much as 10% over the long term, with an estimated 6.5% to 10% increase in GDP.
The study, published in the International Productivity Monitor, argues that regulations in four key sectors - energy, transportation, retail distribution, and professional services - are more restrictive than necessary, and that making rules more competition-friendly would strengthen innovation, narrow Canada’s productivity gap with peer economies, and improve living standards.
According to the Bureau’s backgrounder, the analysis draws on 25 years of sector-level data across 15 OECD countries and 19 sectors. The regulated sectors examined account for about 30% of Canada’s GDP and roughly 40% of the goods and services used as inputs elsewhere in the economy.
Acting Commissioner of Competition Jeanne Pratt said the findings highlight the scale of potential gains from pro-competitive regulatory reform across all orders of government, pointing to recent progress on internal trade barriers as evidence that change is achievable.
The Bureau adds that the GDP estimate is conservative and reflects only part of the potential upside, noting further gains could come from reducing internal trade barriers, improving labour mobility between provinces, and attracting more foreign investment. It also says pro-competitive reforms can be implemented without undermining legitimate regulatory objectives such as health, safety, security, and environmental protection.
