The Competition Policy Review Panel, which is charged with reviewing Canada’s foreign investment and competition policies, has released its consultation paper. It poses a number of questions about competition and investment in Canada — the answers to which will inform the panel’s eventual recommendations.

The panel’s mandate is to focus on investment and competition broadly, including the Investment Canada Act and the Competition Act. The panel is seeking written submissions on the issues presented in the paper by Jan. 11, 2008.

The paper outlines the changing international economic context and presents what the panel believes are the two principal issues for Canada’s economic performance: how best to create the domestic conditions to foster the development of Canadian-based global businesses; and how to best position Canada to be a world-leading destination for talent, capital and innovation.

“Our panel has been asked to provide recommendations on how Canada should adapt and move forward in a new environment of global competition,” said the panel’s chair Lynton “Red” Wilson. “We must ensure that our policies are modern and effective, to enable Canadian firms to maximize their productivity and competitiveness.”

The federal government established the panel in July. The CPRP is planning to report to the minister of industry on behalf of the government by June 30, 2008.