Services
Regulatory Impact Analysis
RIAS Inc.consultants are leaders in regulatory impact analysis. We have designed and carried out dozens of impact assessments of government regulations, policies, programs and proposals, providing expert assessments of potential impacts on investment, employment, international competitiveness and productivity growth. Our consultants also provide RIAS writing services to clients.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
We have conducted many major cost-benefit analyses for regulatory agencies and have advised departments on numerous others. Our consultants are experts in the use of the latest techniques to valuate health effects, environmental amenities, and safety and security benefits. We are also experts in conducting cost of compliance studies with industry stakeholders and validating results. Our approach to CBA also focuses on the importance of qualitative information to properly inform decision-makers. Our consultants are lead trainers for the Canada School of Public Service on Risk and CBA Analysis.
Risk Assessment
The RIAS Inc. team has a number of recognized experts in risk assessment, with years of experience working with federal departments and agencies in characterizing, estimating and evaluating risks.
Market Assessment
Our consultants recently developed a new tool for the federal government, the Market Assessment Tool, to help departments meet analytical requirements of the CDSR. This approach allows RIAS Inc. to develop comprehensive profiles of affected stakeholders, and delve into the complex positive and negative market effects that may result from regulatory changes. Market Assessment approaches often allow us to assess changes in the slope and shape of demand and supply curves in specific segments of the market, enabling us to provide estimates of changes in overall social welfare, consumer and producer surplus.
Economic Analysis/Modeling
The RIAS Inc. team is known for innovative, leading edge economic analysis and modeling. Recent work has included development of a cash-flow model used to assess the economic impacts of regulatory response times, an assessment of the economic implications to Canada’s agricultural sector of a regulatory change using a combined budget-market model, and a detailed microeconomic model of firm-level impacts, and a combination of tax model and input-output analysis to quantify the macroeconomic impacts on key sectors of the Canadian economy of federal user fees.
CDSR and Regulatory Process Advice
We offer clients project management and planning advice on meeting CDSR requirements and on all aspects of the federal regulatory process, including:
- Triage preparation
- Managing large, complex CBA projects
- Performance measurement and evaluation (PMEP)
- Preparation of med/high impact and low impact RIASs
- Peer review of CBA, RIASs and PMEP
- Regulatory process timelines and approvals
Applied Policy Research
Our consultants have directed many multi-disciplinary policy research projects over the past 35 years. Our team has expertise across a range of policy areas, such as health, environment, energy, transportation, finance, labour, to name a few. We provide expert analysis and advice to clients on the identification and assessment of public policies issues, and in designing appropriate and effective policy responses, including regulatory options. Our consultants also bring a wealth of knowledge to clients on designing and implementing compliance and enforcement policies.
Strategic Advice to Senior Officials
Our team of seasoned and experienced professionals offer strategic advice to senior government officials on a range of public sector management issues.
