The terms "competition" and "productivity" have filled the minds of policy analysts and economists in recent years. But, what does it all mean for Canadian consumers? Denise Hearn and Vass Bednar wrote about how capitalism has actually hurt consumers in their new book, "The Big Fix: How Companies Capture Markets and Harm Canadians." They join Steve Paikin to discuss more. 

The Agenda with Steve Paikin is TVO's flagship current affairs program - devoted to exploring the social, political, cultural and economic issues that are changing our world, at home and abroad. The Agenda airs weeknights at 8:00 PM EST on TVO - Canada's largest educational broadcaster.

The Agenda with Steve Paikin is TVO's flagship current affairs program - devoted to exploring the social, political, cultural and economic issues that are changing our world, at home and abroad. The Agenda airs weeknights at 8:00 PM EST on TVO - Canada's

The Agenda with Steve Paikin (Audio)

The Agenda is TVO's flagship current affairs program, devoted to exploring the social, political, cultural, and economic issues that are changing our world. We consistently offer a diversity of viewpoints and in-depth analysis of what lies behind the headlines. Hosted by Steve Paikin and Nam Kiwanuka.

<p>The Agenda is TVO's flagship current affairs program, devoted to exploring the social, political, cultural, and economic issues that are changing our world. We consistently offer a diversity of viewpoints and in-depth analysis of what lies behind the headlines. Hosted by Steve Paikin and Nam Kiwanuka.</p>

Is a Lack of Competition Gouging Canadian Consumers?

Ontario's minimum wage rose to $17.20 from $16.55 on October 1, an increase of almost 4 percent based on the province's consumer price index. But advocates argue that the wage is still too low in places with a higher cost of living. There's even a movement to introduce a living wage, one that is indexed to local costs. Minimum wage workers in Toronto and Hamilton for example would be paid more per hour than those in Sudbury or Thunder Bay. But business owners say that they can't be expected to bear the sole cost of increasing wages. Some say that the government has a bigger role to play in helping low-wage workers improve their skills to graduate better paying jobs. So, what is the best way to support Ontario's low-wage workers?

How Best to Support Ontario's Minimum Wage Workers

As tipping creeps into more and more of our transactions, some restaurants have bucked the trend and ended the practice all together. It means higher prices on the menus and more costs for the restaurants' owners, but they say it is a better and more fair way to treat their employees. How are these eateries faring in a time when the industry is already struggling with rising costs, labour shortages and shifting consumer habits?

Can No-Tip Restaurants Really Succeed?

In an era of growing geopolitical tensions paralleled by deepening digitalization of economies and societies, has technology become the new battleground in the geopolitical quest for power? Host Steve Paikin asks: George Takach (author, "Cold War 2.0: Artificial Intelligence in the New Battle Between China, Russia and America"), 
Rachel Ziemba (Center for a New American Security), and Bessma Momani (University of Waterloo). 

Is a Lack of Competition Gouging Canadian Consumers?

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