Note: This is a DRAFT copy of the syllabus and is subject to change
BUSINESS IN THE CANADIAN CONTEXT—ADMS 1010
SECTIONS E
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
We will look at key issues and companies in Canadian business. How has Canada achieved prosperity? How might
we maintain it in a globalized economy? We will examine how our geography, our people and our legal and
political institutions have shaped business and business has shaped government. We will use business case studies
to look at political, economic and legal issues in the Canadian context.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Please BE AWARE: Students CANNOT write exams or submit any work for sections that they are not registered in.
Students must confirm the correct section within the first two weeks of class. The instructor/course director has
NO AUTHORITY to enroll students into the course. Please direct all registration questions to the main office of the
Administrative Studies (http://www.yorku.ca/laps/sas/index.asp ). DO NOT contact the instructor/course director
in these matters.
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
You will know how Canada’s business culture and laws have evolved, how Canadian business has failed and
succeeded, and you will know better where business in Canada is going.
SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU MISS A MIDTERM IT MUST BE BECAUSE YOU ARE ILL. AN ATTENDING
PHYSICIANS STATEMENT (OFFICIAL YORK APS) MUST BE E -MAILED TO YOUR INSTUCTOR AND
ONLY YOUR INSTRUCTOR WITHIN 5 CALENDAR DAYS OF THE MISSED MIDTERM OR YOU WILL NOT
BE ABLE TO WRITE THE MAKEUP .
ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
REQUIRED COURSE TEXT
Joe Martin. Relentless Change: A History of Canadian Business. University of Toronto Press, 2010.
RECOMMENDED COURSE TEXT
Geoffrey Hale. Uneasy Partnership: The Politics of Business and Government in Canada. University of Toronto
Press, 2009.
Students will be expected to read and discuss current Canadian business issues and events. These can be found in
sources such as The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business, the Toronto Star, the National Post, CBC.ca, CTV.ca and
Canadian Business magazine. Links to good sources for global business and economic news can be found in the
Business Section of Google News. Also, the following is a great primer on Canadian history and while not a
required textbook, it’s available as an e-book and worth purchasing.
http://canadachannel.ca/HCO/index.php/Welcome_to_the_History_of_Canada_Online
EVALUATING YOUR PERFORMANCE
1. MIDTERM EXAM (WEEK 6) 40%
2. FINAL EXAM (DURING FINAL EXAM PERIOD) 60%
Term: Summer 2014
Day: Wednesday
Time: 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Location: CLH G
Course Director: Prof. Barry O’Brien
Email (preferred):obrien.barry@gmail.com
Office Hours: Before or after class
Course Website: http://www.yorkprofessor.com
Twitter: @yorkprofessor
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ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
EXPANDED COURSE DESCRIPTION
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION (MAY 7)
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WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO FOR 12 WEEKS ?
CANADA –THE COUNTRY FOUNDED AS A PLACE OF BUSINESS:
o Government support of business
o Business and financial institutions in Canada
o Trade, business ownership and foreign countries
Overview of Canadian History

The relationship between business and government
Learning Objectives:
You will know how I will manage the course, what the expectations are for students and how to
succeed in the course. You will also know the topics and theories we will cover in greater depth
later in the course. We will discuss the key features of the Canadian Economy.
You will know the early history of Canada and how the country was founded to supply greater
resources to European nations. You will begin to consider the roles that government and
business play in the Canadian economy.
R EADINGS ( TO BE DONE PRIOR TO CLASS ):
Relentless Change – Part One: Laying the foundations, 1850-1905 (pp. 1-14)
Uneasy Partnership – Introduction, and Chapter 1: Business and government: The politics of
mutual dependence (pp. 3-31)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/discover/index.asp Make sure to read the
section on Canada’s history
WEEK 2: THE FOUNDATIONS OF CANADA’S ECONOMY (MAY 14)

Regionalism and Federalism

Banking in Canada

Theoretical Models: Stern School “growth diamond”
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ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
Learning Objectives:
You will understand the context for Canada’s government and the nature of the Canadian
Confederation and the economic powers of the Canadian state. You will understand how
Canada’s financial systems were formed and what role they play in our economy. You will also
learn the Stern School “growth diamond” theory of economic development and how to apply it.
R EADINGS :
Relentless Change – Case 1: Origins of financial stability in Canada: The Bank Act of 1871 (pp.
21 – 37)
Uneasy Partnership – Chapter 7: Federalism, regionalism, and the context for businessgovernment relations (pp. 213-243)
http://www.bankofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/1841-71.pdf (12 pp long with pictures)
Stern School “growth diamond”: http://www.webbooks.com/eLibrary/NC/B0/B56/146MB56.html (1 page)
WEEK 3: CANADA EXPANDS —AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURING (MAY 21)

International trade policies, Protectionism and Canadian business
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
You will understand the importance of the rise of two industries: agriculture and manufacturing
in 19th and 20th century Canada. You will understand the roles of business and of government in
creating a national identity. You will understand how protectionism and free trade influence
industries.
R EADINGS
Relentless Change – Case 3: Canada’s first great manufacturing enterprise: The story of
Massey Harris (pp. 60-78)
Uneasy Partnership – Chapter 4: Business, government, and the politics of development:
1760-1970 (pp. 99-140)
WEEK 4: MANUFACTURING AND THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY (MAY 28)
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ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
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History of the Auto Sector in Canada
Manufacturing and FDI
Protectionism and the Auto Sector
The Auto Pact
Globalization and International Trade
Canada’s Restrictions on International Trade
Globalization’s Impact on the Canadian Auto Sector
Learning Objectives:
You will understand the importance of the auto industry in Canada. You will be able to identify
the positive and negative potential of Foreign Direct Investment in Canada. You will understand
the advantages and disadvantages of open trade policies.
R EADINGS :
Relentless Change – Case 5: The role of trade policy in the rise of the Canadian automobile
industry (pp. 120-136)
Uneasy Partnership – Chapter 4: Business, government, and the politics of development:
1760-1970 (pp. 99-140)
WEEK 5: CNR—Government Business Enterprises (June 4)
o Crown Corporations
o Privatization and Nationalization
Learning Objectives:
You will understand the ways in which the Canadian government traditionally intervenes in
markets and its reasons for doing so. You will understand the importance of infrastructure (e.g.
railroads) in the Canadian economy. You will be able to describe a crown corporation, its
purposes and its limitations. You will able to describe the pressures and potential advantages to
creating and privatizing crown corporations
R EADINGS :
Relentless Change – Case 4: ‘Irrational exuberance’: The creation of the CNR (pp. 100-117)
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ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
Uneasy Partnership – Chapter 9: Government business enterprises: The state sector in
transition (pp. 271-302)
SATURDAY JUNE 7 MIDTERM EXAM (40%)
JUNE 11TH NO CLASS
WEEK 7: THE RISE OF THE CANADIAN CONSUMER AND CANADIAN RETAIL (JUNE
18)
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H ISTORY OF C ANADIAN R ETAIL
T HE EMERGENCE OF A CONSUMER ECONOMY AFTER WW2 THE R ISE OF THE D EPARTMENT S TORE
W OMEN IN THE WORK FORCE
T HE US R ETAIL I NVASION , GLOBALIZATION AND THEIR IMPACT ON C ANADIAN R ETAIL
P ORTER ’ S 5 FORCES —A MODEL OF COMPETITION WITHIN AN INDUSTRY
L EARNING O BJECTIVES :
You will understand the role of the retail industry in Canada. You will understand the transition
of the Canadian economy post WW2 to a consumer driven economy. You will be able to discuss
the rise of women as economic agents in Canada. You will be able to understand and comment
on issues related to the globalization of retail in Canada. You will understand the dominant
models of competition within an industry and analyze them based on Porter’s 5-Forces model.
R EADINGS :
Relentless Change – Case 6: Eaton’s and Simpsons-Sears (pp. 140-157)
Uneasy Partnership – Chapter 6: Canada’s economic structure: Diversity, dynamism, and the
political economy of business-government relations (pp. 179-212)
WEEK 8: MIDTERM REVIEW AND CASE PREPARATION (JUNE 25)
WEEK 9: NATURAL RESOURCES — OIL (JULY 2)
o H ISTORY OF EXTRACTION IN C ANADA
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ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
o P ETROLEUM AND THE A THABASCA O IL S ANDS
o NAFTA AND O IL
o F OREIGN D IRECT I NVESTMENT (FDI)
o F OREIGN O WNERSHIP I N C ANADA
o B ENEFITS AND C HALLENGES OF F OREIGN O WNERSHIP
o R EGIONAL E CONOMIC D ISPARITY IN C ANADA
o T HE N ATIONAL E NERGY P ROGRAM
o E AST -W EST M ARKETS
o ‘D UTCH DISEASE ’
Learning Objectives:
You will understand the importance of FDI in the natural resource industry. You will understand
the forces which are moving Canada’s economic centre to the West and its meaning for the rest
of Canada.
Readings:
Relentless Change – Case 9: Canada’s black gold: From the Leduc discovery to the National
Energy Program (pp. 221-239); Case 13: Canada the next oil superpower? (pp. 319-339)
Uneasy Partnership – Chapter 5: Business, government, and the politics of economic
upheaval: 1970 to present (pp. 141-171)
WEEK 10: NAFTA - WINE IN CANADA (JULY 9H)
 History of the Wine Industry in Canada
o VQA
o The LCBO
 International Wine Trade
 NAFTA, Wine and National Treatment
 Key Stumbling Blocks to Global Free Trade
L EARNING O BJECTIVES :
You will understand the importance of free trade and the transition to a globalized economy in
Canada. You will be familiar with the topics of free trade, NAFTA, protectionism, (WTO/GATT,
World Bank, IMF), trade wars, comparative advantage (Ricardo, Smith and Hume) and supply
management in Canada
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ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
R EADINGS :
Relentless Change – Case 10: The free trade agreement and the Canadian wine industry (pp.
265-283)
Uneasy Partnership – Chapter 8: Business, government, and the North American and global
economies (pp. 245-269)
WEEK 11: CANADIAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: THE LAST 50 YEARS (JULY 16)
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Profile of the Financial Services Industry in Canada
Financial Regulation and Oversight
Key Differences between US and Canadian Banking Systems
How Canadian Banks Avoided the Mortgage Crisis
The Collapse of Confederation Life
RBC, Bank Mergers and “Too Big to Fail”
L EARNING O BJECTIVES :
You will understand the financial services industry, one of the key industries of any country. You
will understand the complex relationship between ‘non predatory government’ and the
financial system. You will understand the role of regulation in Canadian financial industries and
ultimately, in the whole economy.
R EADINGS :
Relentless Change – Case 11: The collapse of Confederation Life (pp. 286-301) and Case 12:
RBC yesterday, today, and tomorrow (pp. 303-317)
Uneasy Partnership – Chapter 6: Canada’s economic structure: Diversity, dynamism, and the
political economy of business-government relations (pp. 179-212)
What Toronto Can Teach New York and London, Chrystia Freeland in the Financial Times
WEEK 12 : WRAP-UP AND FINAL EXAM REVIEW (JULY 23)
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ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
See the new procedures for Deferred Standing on the School of Admin Studies website
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION
York University has policies relevant to all students. They can be
http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2012-2013/policies/index.htm . These include:
•
York's Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures / Academic Integrity Web site
•
Access/Disability
•
Religious Observance Accommodation
•
Student Code of Conduct
•
Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
found
at
Additional information:
•
Alternate Exam and Test Scheduling, http://www.yorku.ca/altexams/
•
Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy
The Senate Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy stipulates that (a) the grading scheme (i.e.
kinds and weights of assignments, essays, exams, etc.) be announced, and be available in
writing, within the first two weeks of class, and that, (b) under normal circumstances, graded
feedback worth at least 15% of the final grade for Fall, Winter or Summer Term, and 30% for
‘full year’ courses offered in the Fall/Winter Term be received by students in all courses prior to
the final withdrawal date from a course without receiving a grade.
•
Important University Sessional Dates (you will find classes and exams start/end dates,
reading/co-curricular week, add/drop deadlines, holidays, University closings and more.
http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/importantdates/index.htm
•
"20% Rule"
No examinations or tests collectively worth more than 20% of the final grade in a course will be
given during the final 14 calendar days of classes in a term. The exceptions to the rule are
classes which regularly meet Friday evenings or on Saturday and/or Sunday at any time, and
courses offered in the compressed summer terms.
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ADMS 1010 3.0E Summer 2014
•
Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Program or Faculty grades
distribution profiles.
•
Services for Mature and Part-time Students
The Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students (ACMAPS) maintains and strengthens
York University’s ongoing commitment to welcome and to serve the needs of mature and parttime students. For further information and assistance visit: http://www.yorku.ca/acmaps
Last modified: March 26, 2014
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