Keldon Bester
@keldonb.bsky.social
CAMP Exec Director, CIGI Fellow. Previously Competition Bureau and Open Markets. Hedging my bets.
www.antimonopoly.ca
www.antimonopoly.ca
Pinned
Keldon Bester
@keldonb.bsky.social
· Jun 17
Discussion Paper | Confronting Canada's Gatekeeper Crisis - Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project
In a volatile geopolitical environment, Canada's dependence on a handful of American firms has become an acute risk to the future of our sovereignty.
antimonopoly.ca
In an unstable geopolitical environment, Canada's digital infrastructure is in the hands of just a few American companies. In a new CAMP discussion paper, we ask the question what a new path forward should look like.
antimonopoly.ca/discussion-p...
antimonopoly.ca/discussion-p...
"This proposed regime could obsess over market centralization and predatory business practices... take aim at monopolists like Ticketmaster, responsible for jacking up concert prices... aggressively block mergers in already-uncompetitive industries." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Justin Ling: From flights to cell phone bills, Canadians get a raw deal. This is why — and how Mark Carney can fix it
Protectionism and a lack of competition are making life expensive for Canadians.
www.thestar.com
June 27, 2025 at 2:35 PM
"This proposed regime could obsess over market centralization and predatory business practices... take aim at monopolists like Ticketmaster, responsible for jacking up concert prices... aggressively block mergers in already-uncompetitive industries." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
For @techpolicypress.bsky.social this week I wrote about how Canada's tech accountability efforts should be squarely focused on protecting Canadian sovereignty in an unstable geopolitical environment. www.techpolicy.press/a-tech-antim...
A Tech Anti-Monopoly and Accountability Agenda for Canada | TechPolicy.Press
Amid a shifting relationship with the US and new geopolitical realities, Keldon Bester urges Canada to rethink its tech policy to defend national sovereignty.
www.techpolicy.press
June 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
For @techpolicypress.bsky.social this week I wrote about how Canada's tech accountability efforts should be squarely focused on protecting Canadian sovereignty in an unstable geopolitical environment. www.techpolicy.press/a-tech-antim...
Canada's Competition Bureau recognizes that our airline market is not delivering for Canadians. CAMP was glad to see our recommendations echoed by the Bureau, but know that there is more work to be done to fix flying in Canada.
antimonopoly.ca/statement-ca...
antimonopoly.ca/statement-ca...
Statement | Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project welcomes final report of Competition Bureau airline market study - Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project
In the final report of its market study, Canada's Competition Bureau recognizes that the airline market is not delivering for Canadians.
antimonopoly.ca
June 19, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Canada's Competition Bureau recognizes that our airline market is not delivering for Canadians. CAMP was glad to see our recommendations echoed by the Bureau, but know that there is more work to be done to fix flying in Canada.
antimonopoly.ca/statement-ca...
antimonopoly.ca/statement-ca...
Monopoly isn't just a tax on everyday Canadians, it's a threat to the future of our independence. We need to tackle both problems if we want to create a strong and free Canada.
www.corporateknights.com/leadership/m...
www.corporateknights.com/leadership/m...
The other sovereignty threat to Canada
Monopolies and oligopolies cost Canadians tens of billions every year. They also undermine our national independence.
www.corporateknights.com
June 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Monopoly isn't just a tax on everyday Canadians, it's a threat to the future of our independence. We need to tackle both problems if we want to create a strong and free Canada.
www.corporateknights.com/leadership/m...
www.corporateknights.com/leadership/m...
In an unstable geopolitical environment, Canada's digital infrastructure is in the hands of just a few American companies. In a new CAMP discussion paper, we ask the question what a new path forward should look like.
antimonopoly.ca/discussion-p...
antimonopoly.ca/discussion-p...
Discussion Paper | Confronting Canada's Gatekeeper Crisis - Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project
In a volatile geopolitical environment, Canada's dependence on a handful of American firms has become an acute risk to the future of our sovereignty.
antimonopoly.ca
June 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
In an unstable geopolitical environment, Canada's digital infrastructure is in the hands of just a few American companies. In a new CAMP discussion paper, we ask the question what a new path forward should look like.
antimonopoly.ca/discussion-p...
antimonopoly.ca/discussion-p...
Had a great time talking with Harrison about Canada's monopoly challenge in a changing world and the work we're doing at CAMP
At a moment when power and wealth are concentrated in the boardrooms of a few behemoth corporations, what can be done to reverse the trend? We may dream of big breakups, but what are the chances, really?
A Tyee interview with antitrust advocate @keldonb.bsky.social.
A Tyee interview with antitrust advocate @keldonb.bsky.social.
How Canada Can Up Its Game Against Monopolies | The Tyee
Antitrust advocate Keldon Bester on new watchdog laws, recharging competition, dismantling Big Tech and more. A Tyee interview.
thetyee.ca
June 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Had a great time talking with Harrison about Canada's monopoly challenge in a changing world and the work we're doing at CAMP
Reposted by Keldon Bester
Who won't delivery apps screw in the pursuit of profit?
Drivers, restaurants & customers all deal with the fallout of exploitative wages, unclear fees, and drip pricing.
Competition fairness rockstar @keldonb.bsky.social explains in this piece.
@jennabench.bsky.social | www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
Drivers, restaurants & customers all deal with the fallout of exploitative wages, unclear fees, and drip pricing.
Competition fairness rockstar @keldonb.bsky.social explains in this piece.
@jennabench.bsky.social | www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
June 9, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Who won't delivery apps screw in the pursuit of profit?
Drivers, restaurants & customers all deal with the fallout of exploitative wages, unclear fees, and drip pricing.
Competition fairness rockstar @keldonb.bsky.social explains in this piece.
@jennabench.bsky.social | www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
Drivers, restaurants & customers all deal with the fallout of exploitative wages, unclear fees, and drip pricing.
Competition fairness rockstar @keldonb.bsky.social explains in this piece.
@jennabench.bsky.social | www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
Reposted by Keldon Bester
TODAY at 10:30 AM ET: Join Capitol Forum & Sandeep Vaheesan 👇
📅 Tomorrow at 10:30am ET: Join our conference call w/ Sandeep Vaheesan on Abundance, U.S. infrastructure, and electrification policy.
🔗 RSVP + join the conversation: register.gotowebinar.com/register/583...
#TheCapitolForum #Infrastructure #Abundance #EnergyPolicy #Antitrust
🔗 RSVP + join the conversation: register.gotowebinar.com/register/583...
#TheCapitolForum #Infrastructure #Abundance #EnergyPolicy #Antitrust
June 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
TODAY at 10:30 AM ET: Join Capitol Forum & Sandeep Vaheesan 👇
Reposted by Keldon Bester
I had a great time chatting to @laurentdcar.bsky.social about his new book "At the Trough: The Rise and Rise of Canada's Corporate Welfare Bums" for the Deep Dives newsletter. We covered a lot of interesting ground. Do check it out!
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
"At the Trough": Laurent Carbonneau on Fixing Canada's Flawed Economic Policy
An interview on why our public services are deteriorating while businesses thrive and how we get better outcomes for Canada.
open.substack.com
June 2, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I had a great time chatting to @laurentdcar.bsky.social about his new book "At the Trough: The Rise and Rise of Canada's Corporate Welfare Bums" for the Deep Dives newsletter. We covered a lot of interesting ground. Do check it out!
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
Reposted by Keldon Bester
We should absolutely limit these exclusivity deals CC @keldonb.bsky.social
May 31, 2025 at 11:54 AM
We should absolutely limit these exclusivity deals CC @keldonb.bsky.social
Reposted by Keldon Bester
Québec, the Canadian province with the most exhaustive and expansive rent *and* vacancy controls, has built more rental units in the absolute and per 1000 than any other province in the past 40 years. Exemptions apply only for 5 years after construction.
I agree. The Science shows that rent control is a reasonable policy that works fine if you design it properly (eg, new builds can charge market rates initially) jwmason.org/slackwire/co...
May 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Québec, the Canadian province with the most exhaustive and expansive rent *and* vacancy controls, has built more rental units in the absolute and per 1000 than any other province in the past 40 years. Exemptions apply only for 5 years after construction.
Why do we make the king talk about the GST
May 27, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Why do we make the king talk about the GST
Reposted by Keldon Bester
Who owns Canadian nationalism? Companies are seizing on the rally-around-the-flag moment, hoping to sell you pizza, coffee, and whatever they can stick a flag on.
www.davidmoscrop.com/p/who-owns-c...
www.davidmoscrop.com/p/who-owns-c...
Who Owns Canadian Nationalism?
Have you seen advertisements cashing in on our patriotic surge? I'd like to know. Also, a big, related announcement.
www.davidmoscrop.com
May 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Who owns Canadian nationalism? Companies are seizing on the rally-around-the-flag moment, hoping to sell you pizza, coffee, and whatever they can stick a flag on.
www.davidmoscrop.com/p/who-owns-c...
www.davidmoscrop.com/p/who-owns-c...
Recently learned that there was a chocolate price fixing case in Canada in the 2000s. Involved major chocolate producers but afaik only Hershey pled guilty. competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-fo...
Price-fixing charges stayed in chocolate case
September 10, 2015 — OTTAWA, ON — The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) entered a stay of proceedings on September 8, 2015 against ITWAL Ltd., Mars Canada Inc., Sandra Martinez and David Gle...
competition-bureau.canada.ca
May 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Recently learned that there was a chocolate price fixing case in Canada in the 2000s. Involved major chocolate producers but afaik only Hershey pled guilty. competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-fo...
Reposted by Keldon Bester
New: As Google search head Liz Reid announces at #googleio that AI Mode is rolling out to all US users today, Alphabet shares drop...
Follow along with my & @julialove.bsky.social's live I/O coverage here
Follow along with my & @julialove.bsky.social's live I/O coverage here
Alphabet’s Pichai Says Google Bringing Products to Market Faster
Alphabet Inc.’s Google will bring products to market faster to keep pace with new rivals in the artificial intelligence age.
www.bloomberg.com
May 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
New: As Google search head Liz Reid announces at #googleio that AI Mode is rolling out to all US users today, Alphabet shares drop...
Follow along with my & @julialove.bsky.social's live I/O coverage here
Follow along with my & @julialove.bsky.social's live I/O coverage here
“The only way forward for Alphabet is a complete breakup that would allow investors to own the business they actually want,”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Alphabet Analyst Says ‘Complete Breakup’ Needed for Stock Gains
One of the largest tech companies would be more valuable if it was smaller, according to a Wall Street analyst.
www.bloomberg.com
May 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM
“The only way forward for Alphabet is a complete breakup that would allow investors to own the business they actually want,”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"Decades ago, Canada lost its mining leaders when Inco, Falconbridge and Alcan were bought by foreign giants. Now, instead of owning the world’s foremost mining companies and generating wealth in Canada, Canadians are working for foreign entities."
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Mark Carney passed a tough test in Washington. He now faces an even tougher one at home
Canada cannot afford to cede further control of its infrastructure to foreign interests.
www.thestar.com
May 12, 2025 at 2:36 PM
"Decades ago, Canada lost its mining leaders when Inco, Falconbridge and Alcan were bought by foreign giants. Now, instead of owning the world’s foremost mining companies and generating wealth in Canada, Canadians are working for foreign entities."
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Still thinking about the review of Chime (2024) that complained about not hearing the chime
May 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Still thinking about the review of Chime (2024) that complained about not hearing the chime
Tough day when I need to agree with Bill Gates
Bill Gates accused Elon Musk at least twice in the past week of “killing” children in the world’s poorest countries by cutting foreign aid under the Trump administration.
Bill Gates Accuses Elon Musk of ‘Killing Children’ by Cutting Foreign Aid
www.nytimes.com
May 8, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Tough day when I need to agree with Bill Gates
A monopolized digital ad market does not support journalism.
I am sure that many if not all of these outlets were mismanaged by their investors and/or corporate overlords
but I'm also at a loss how any of them would sustain themselves when web ads barely make money, the audience notoriously don't pay to subscribe to things, and publisher payola is frowned on
but I'm also at a loss how any of them would sustain themselves when web ads barely make money, the audience notoriously don't pay to subscribe to things, and publisher payola is frowned on
games journalism is dead, the corpses continue to twitch
May 1, 2025 at 4:35 PM
A monopolized digital ad market does not support journalism.
Spoke to the Financial Post this week about the implications of the U.S. win against Google's online advertising monopoly on the parallel case ongoing in Canada
financialpost.com/technology/g...
financialpost.com/technology/g...
Google guilty ruling in antitrust case could boost Canada's lawsuit against tech giant
The U.S. government's recent wins against Google stem from two of many cases ongoing against the tech giant. Here's what could happen next.
financialpost.com
April 22, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Spoke to the Financial Post this week about the implications of the U.S. win against Google's online advertising monopoly on the parallel case ongoing in Canada
financialpost.com/technology/g...
financialpost.com/technology/g...
Reposted by Keldon Bester
NEW from @jennifer-clapp.bsky.social & @keldonb.bsky.social:
"It boils down to power. When just a few firms control nodes of food supply chains, they have the power to shape what our food system looks like."
Read in Perspectives Journal no. 3: perspectivesjournal.ca/canada-food-monopoly-problem/
"It boils down to power. When just a few firms control nodes of food supply chains, they have the power to shape what our food system looks like."
Read in Perspectives Journal no. 3: perspectivesjournal.ca/canada-food-monopoly-problem/
April 18, 2025 at 7:28 PM
NEW from @jennifer-clapp.bsky.social & @keldonb.bsky.social:
"It boils down to power. When just a few firms control nodes of food supply chains, they have the power to shape what our food system looks like."
Read in Perspectives Journal no. 3: perspectivesjournal.ca/canada-food-monopoly-problem/
"It boils down to power. When just a few firms control nodes of food supply chains, they have the power to shape what our food system looks like."
Read in Perspectives Journal no. 3: perspectivesjournal.ca/canada-food-monopoly-problem/
Have all the big youtubers stopped boxing one another? Deeply strange phenomenon.
April 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Have all the big youtubers stopped boxing one another? Deeply strange phenomenon.
Looking forward to people twisting themselves into pretzels to explain why Zuckerberg was wrong to think companies perform better after being broken up.
Shout out to the @capitolforum.bsky.social coverage
Shout out to the @capitolforum.bsky.social coverage
April 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Looking forward to people twisting themselves into pretzels to explain why Zuckerberg was wrong to think companies perform better after being broken up.
Shout out to the @capitolforum.bsky.social coverage
Shout out to the @capitolforum.bsky.social coverage
Reposted by Keldon Bester
The federal campaign is almost half over, and the lack of serious attention to anything digital or tech, has been astounding. Not least because of its importance as a vector of US power. It’s all very retro, and not in a fun way.
April 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM
The federal campaign is almost half over, and the lack of serious attention to anything digital or tech, has been astounding. Not least because of its importance as a vector of US power. It’s all very retro, and not in a fun way.