Similarly, although Canadian banks are privately owned, the federal government decides which and how many banks are allowed to operate in Canada.

Utilities (electricity, telephones, water and sewage, heating fuels) are being privatized where they were once all publicly owned and operated, but most cities continue to maintain public transportation (subways, light rapid transit, busses, street cars) as an alternative to the private automobile.

Transportation was once dominated by public companies, but in the past twenty-five years, governments have reduced their presence in this important area. Now, the deterioration in the state of roads and highways in Canada requires renewed government involvement at the municipal, provincial/territorial, and federal levels. Some passenger and freight traffic on railways is still directed by government, but most bus, truck, and airplane traffic has no government presence except in terms of the issuing of licences and the establishment and enforcement of safety standards.

In a few provinces, such as Alberta, alcohol is sold in stores owned by private business people, but the province itself controls the wholesale pricing of alcohol. In other provinces, such as Ontario, beer and alcohol are sold only in government-controlled stores.