I am a little perplexed at your comment about your stock split issue in your account. Over the last 27 years I have worked at  4 brokerage firms, 3 because of takeovers ending with a big 5 bank firm and a final big 5 firm where I moved 11 years ago. 
The issue of stock splits is complicated by the delay of the credit of the new shares - which can take a month or so and is entirely out of the hands of your bank brokerage - and the fact that your stock will be reported with the new reduced share price. In the case of all of the above firms the work around was by reporting the 'old ' price along with the old share count, thereby giving the client an accurate value for the position.
As for the theme of your article, I agree that the Canadian banks have had a significant advantage due to the Bank Act and a friendly compliance regime. Please ask your MP if this is a problem, or is it a reflection of the small size of our market.
I will watch their dividends finance my clients' retirement.