Rotman Debate: Are Canada’s So-Called “Oligopolies” Holding Us Back?

IN-PERSON ONLY EVENT

Agenda:

6:00 pm – 7:15 pm – Debate

7:15 pm – 8:00 pm – Networking Reception

Debate Proposition: Canada’s so-called corporate “oligopolies” are standing in the way of a dynamic Canadian economy.”

Are Canada’s so-called corporate “oligopolies” standing in the way of a more dynamic economy, or are large, scaled firms essential to driving investment, innovation, and stability? In sectors such as banking, telecommunications, grocery, airlines and beyond, Canada’s market concentration is often criticized for stifling competition, yet others argue that these structures provide the strength needed to support growth and resilience in the relatively small Canadian market.

This debate will bring together contrasting voices from a wide array of perspectives to examine what Canada’s competition agenda should look like. Are concentrated industries holding back productivity, affordability, and consumer choice—or are they a necessary platform for national competitiveness and stability? The debate will deliver candid, spirited, and thought-provoking insights on this critical issue at a moment when Canada is confronting fundamental questions about the future of its economy.