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Editor’s note: The following story has been corrected to reflect that shipments into Canada and the U.S. are exempt from duty and customs if under $20 and $200, respectively.

Canadians pay more than Americans for goods, especially food, because of Ottawa’s policies, not simply because retailers are inflating prices, a new report suggests.

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[np_storybar title=”Terence Corcoran: Stick it to Ottawa on sticker shock” link=”http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/05/terence-corcoran-stick-it-to-ottawa-on-sticker-shock/”]

The Harper Tories’ faith in the power of government to shape economic outcomes is well established. It is especially confident that laws and regulations can be imposed that control corporate behaviour and market forces to benefit consumers. The rail industry is about to be micro-managed. The hunt for a fourth competitor in the wireless market — a major failure so far that is likely doomed — is another example. Still another is the government’s commitment to level the retail pricing field between Canada and the United States.