This course is an analysis of public policies as represented by laws and regulatory governmental activities, and their effects on business decision-making, distribution of wealth, and allocative efficiency in the public and private sectors. The course will deal with such topics as: externalities and the assignment of property rights (natural resource conservation, pollution, congestion, issue of corporate social responsibility); theories of the regulatory process and the performance of regulatory agencies in specific markets; legislative process and lobbying strategies; competition policy; marketing boards; government assistance to failing firms; Canadian industrial strategy; public ownership; free trade, etc.

Requirements: This course is restricted to students enrolled in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of the Commerce Program.