Regulating ride sharing companies in Vancouver.

The lack of a clear, agreed-upon definition of social licence is a threat.

Discount wireless services providers and their use of the Big Three’ wireless network.

The lack of a clear, agreed-upon definition of social licence is a threat.

The criterion of social licence is a part of every debate surrounding economic development projects, especially when these include impacts on local communities or on the environment. And yet, this new concept is poorly understood, and mentioned nowhere in the law. Certain controversial projects, like pipelines or uranium mines, illustrate the potential pitfalls of social licence and remind us that the demands of some players frequently go beyond this framework.

The federal government should withdraw from the health sector.

The threat of a renegotiation of our trade relations with the United States still exists.

Simpler and less costly regulation for food trucks in Montreal.

Since last fall, the Canadian health care system has once again become a source of bickering. The federal government, which is a significant funder of the provinces’ health programs, wants to limit the rate of increase of its transfers and force provinces to spend on specific areas like mental health and home care. The territories and certain provinces have bowed to pressure from Ottawa, but four of the five most populous provinces are still refusing the federal offer. While it is political in nature, economic analysis of this conflict can provide some useful insights.

The federal government should withdraw from the health sector.