EPISODE · Jul 11, 2022 · 22 MIN
A Conversation with Professor Vass Bednar: Competition Reform, Inequality, and the Path Towards Fairness
from Appointed: A Canadian Senator Bringing Margins to the Centre · host Kim Pate, Vass Bednar
Click here for more information about Professor Bednar and her public policy research.Click here to access the Perspectives document on Guaranteed Livable Income by Team Pate.Click here to check out Professor Bednar on the Cross Country Checkup PodcastOther resources referred to in the episode:Click here to access Professor Bednar’s paper on competition policy in Canada, mentioned at 2:45.Click here to access a copy of the Competition Act, referred to at 2:45Click here for resources about recent changes to Canada's child care system, as discussed at 20:20.General topics discussed in the episode:See the 4:00 minute mark for a discussion about the connection between competition policy issues, income inequality, and strategies to promote social and economic fairness.See the 6:05 minute mark for Professor Bednar’s commentary on consumer protection, competition, and opportunities to empower individuals in a digital economy.See the 7:05 minute mark for Professor’ Bednar’s commentary on rising food princes and expanding inequality.See the 8:30 minute mark for a discussion about effective policies for eliminating income inequality, as exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.See the 11:00 minute mark for a discussion about the benefits, complications, and specific qualities of an effective guaranteed livable income policy.See the 17:00 minute mark about the frustrating process of transforming good ideas into good policy, and the next steps for implementing competition reform.
What this episode covers
In this episode, Senator Kim Pate is joined by Professor Vass Bednar, the executive director of McMaster University’s Master of Public Policy and Digital Society program. Professor Bednar discusses the urgent need for reform of Canadian competition law, as well as the nexus between inadequate competition policy and and systemic inequality. Senator Pate and Professor Bednar further explore next steps to affect meaningful, lasting change to such complicated social, economic, and political issues.
NOW PLAYING
A Conversation with Professor Vass Bednar: Competition Reform, Inequality, and the Path Towards Fairness
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m