Archived - Research

Research Program

The Panel conducted a research program to supplement its consultations and deliberations, and research by other organizations.  This research program was approved by the Panel in fall 2007.  First drafts of the research reports were reviewed by the Secretariat in spring 2008; the reports were finalized in March and April 2008.

Research reports were undertaken on policy areas the Panel had been asked to examine and related factors that affect Canada’s ability to attract capital and talent, and influence the international competitiveness of Canadian firms. 

Research reports remain the responsibility of the individual researcher(s). The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Panel or the Secretariat.
The research program was divided into 6 parts.

Investment Canada Act (ICA)

Research was undertaken into the economic and policy impacts of the current review process under the Investment Canada Act, how the Act compares to practices in other OECD countries,and into possibilities for improving the Act and its administration and enforcement.

Research Studies:

1. “An Evaluation of the Investment Canada Act and its Operation” by Steven Globerman
2. “Evaluation of the Operation and Effectiveness of the Investment Canada Act and Recommendations for Change” by Tim Kennish

Competition Policy

Commissioned papers and a roundtable of experts focused on changes that could improve the effectiveness and efficiency of existing policy, and the role of governments in competition advocacy work and challenges facing competition advocacy in Canada.

Research Studies:

1. “A Synthesis and Review of Recent Reform Proposals Regarding Canada’s Competition Act” by The Commissioner of Competition, Competition Bureau
2. “Adapting Competition Policy to a Global Economic Environment” by Marc VanAudenrode, Jimmy Royer, Lisa Pinheiro, and Anne Catherine Faye
3. “Report on Best Competition Advocacy Practices” by Daniel A Crane

Sectoral Restrictions

The impacts of and rationale for existing foreign ownership restrictions in telecommunications and broadcasting, the cultural industries, the airline industry, and the uranium sector were examined.  The studies included a consideration of the implications of ownership restrictions for the competitiveness of these industries.

Research Studies:

1. “The Role of Sectoral Ownership Restrictions” by Don McFetridge
2. “Foreign Ownership Restrictions in the Canadian Aviation Industry” by David Gillen
3. “Canadian Foreign Direct Investment Policy and the Cultural Industries” by Keith Acheson
4. “Uranium: Controls on Foreign Ownership and National Security” by Dennis Browne
5. “Eliminating Foreign Investment Restrictions in Canada’s Telecommunications/Broadcast Sector” by Robert Crandall

Head Offices

To address the concern that foreign takeovers are leading to the “hollowing-out” of the Canadian economy, studies examined the impacts on the local economy of shifts in head offices on the location of research and development, charitable giving and community involvement, high value business services, global supply chains, and employment and wages.  The issue regarding whether company ownership matters to head office location was also examined.

Research Studies:

1. “Assessing the Economic Impact of Head Offices in City Regions” by Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity
2. “Are There Global or Regional Supply Chains? Implications for Head Office Location” by Alan M. Rugman and Jing Li
3. “Head Office Location: Implications for Canada” by Keith Head and John Ries

Promoting Inward and Outward Investment

Studies examined the past and current inward and outward investment trends in Canada, the factors that determine and deter these investments, identifies how Canada can improve its attractiveness to foreign direct investment, and the possible policy changes to encourage further Canadian outward investment.  Attention was also given to the particular problems affecting outward investment by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Research Studies:

1. “Formal and Informal Barriers to Canadian FDI” by the Centre for Trade Policy and Law
2. “Foreign Direct Investment and the Canadian Economy” by Walid Hejazi
3. “Assessing Canada’s Ability to Compete for Foreign Direct Investment”
   by Andrew Sharpe and Meghna Banerjee, Centre for the Study of Living Standards
4. “Addressing the Problems Confronting SMEs” by Karl Moore and William Polushin

Fostering Global Business and Canadian Competitiveness

Research assessed Canada’s ability to attract and match capital with talent throughout various stages of business development, and looked at what can be learned from the experience of other economies that have been successful in fostering the development of internationally competitive global enterprises.  Attention was given to the potential impact of a national champions policy on Canada’s competitiveness, and the implications of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) economies for Canada. 

Research Studies:

1. “How to Attract, Groom and Retain Talent in Canada” by Reuven Brenner and Gabrielle Brenner
2. “Developing Competitive Firms and Industries in Global Markets: An Examination of the Experience of Successful Economies” by Luigi Orsenigo
3. “Implications of the BRIC Economies for Canadian Trade and Investment” by Derek Ireland
4. “Assessing Potential Impact of National Champions Policy on Canada’s Competitiveness” by Roger Martin and James Milway

The Secretariat contracted with Canadian and international researchers with expertise in these areas. To request an electronic copy of the studies, contact:

Kellie Fong
Fong.Kellie@ic.gc.ca
(613) 946-7492