The effect of technological change in most, if not all, regulated industries has created numerous challenges and problems associated with traditional approaches. While technological and other changes provide opportunities for lower prices, new products and services, and increased efficiency and effectiveness, change for the sake of change invites the possibility of public policy and regulatory policies which inadvertently leads to a decrease in performance and efficiency.

The purpose and function of the Centre for Regulatory Affairs (CRA) of The Van Horne Institute is to promote education and research in regulatory theory, regulatory practice in Canada, and regulated industry management, with an emphasis on the opportunities, challenges, and consequences of introducing competition and relaxing regulatory constraints. The intent is to achieve a critical mass of expertise and academic excellence that provides a basis for influencing public policy and regulatory practice in Canada, and for the development of effective management practices in regulated industries, through research, teaching, and public advocacy. The goal of the CRA is to become a strong independent voice and play a leadership role in determining and fashioning public policy in regulated industries. The CRA’s interest in regulatory economics is broadly defined and includes not only regulatory economics, law and management but extends to competition policy, privitization, and public enterprise.

The activities of the CRA encompass both educational and research programmes in the theory and practice of regulation and the management of regulated companies. The CRA's educational programmes include the development of professional courses and degree programmes and options at the Universities of Calgary and Alberta. The CRA's research programmes include funding research fellows, research grants, graduate student fellowships, and Centre fellows.

The original funding sponsors of the CRA are EPCOR, TELUS Corporation, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, TransAlta Corporation, and TransCanada Pipelines Limited.