Case studies

The Economic Council of Canada examined public enterprise and found that some Crown businesses do not serve their original purposes or are not appropriate policy instruments. The Council recommends that independent commissions monitor, regulate, and advise governments on capital expenditures of publicly held electric utilities. Technological changes and increased US competition place in question continued public telecommunications monopolies. Transit authorities are urged to consider private contracting for mass transit services. The Council recommends that Air Canada and Petro-Canada be privatized and that share offerings be available only to Canadians initially. Overall, the Council believes that government enterprise be seen as an instrument of last resort.