The role of deregulation in the economic crisis.

In November 2008, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) denied a request from the Canadian Association of Internet Providers which wanted Bell Canada to cease its network “traffic-shaping” practices. The CRTC concluded that Bell’s measures did not violate the law and were not discriminatory since the company applied the same policies both to its wholesale and retail customers. However, the CRTC has decided to examine the broader issue of traffic management by Internet service providers – and thus indirectly to tackle the issue known as “net neutrality.” This proceeding will include a public hearing that is scheduled to begin in July.

Publication of an Economic Note on the effects of regulation of prices and service offerings of Internet service providers.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has ordered telephone companies to sell to third-party retailers services matching the speed of their own retail Internet services on their next generation networks (NGNs). No one believes that grocery chains should be forced to share their distribution networks with smaller competitors, or that Amazon.com should be forced to make its on-line distribution system available to small bookstores. However, many believe that the government should force telephone companies to allow third-party suppliers access to their facilities.

Barack Obama and protectionism.

Regulation of securities trading in Canada.

The financial crisis in the United States and the ghost of a recession.

The Open Skies Agreement between Europe and the United States comes into force.

The Open Skies Agreement between Europe and the United States comes into force.

The regulated maple syrup market in Quebec.