Canada is at a crossroads. Declining productivity, a housing crisis, and geopolitical frictions with China and India are compounding long-standing vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, Trump’s economic strategy—modeled on a private equity-style overhaul—treats allies like vendors, not partners. Canada must respond with assertive, data-driven strategy, not defensive rhetoric.
The root problem lies at home. Canada’s private sector invests just one-fifth of the global average in R&D, largely due to protected financial and real estate sectors that hoard capital. This is the moment to shift from subsidies to strategy—and unlock our latent core competencies.
Hospitality, for instance, employs more Canadians than tech but contributes only 2% of GDP. We must scale Canadian-owned hotel and tourism brands, integrating Indigenous culture, sustainability, and data-driven guest experiences. In sports, our universities can commercialize elite athletics, retaining talent and generating billions through homegrown leagues.
AI is Canada’s greatest untapped strength. We should commit $50 billion annually to AI startups, powered by university research and pension capital. Let’s stop exporting our best ideas.
Canada’s competitive edge will come not from slogans, but from building enduring capabilities. Now is the time—for youth, innovators, and institutions—to turn crisis into momentum and own the future.
The root problem lies at home. Canada’s private sector invests just one-fifth of the global average in R&D, largely due to protected financial and real estate sectors that hoard capital. This is the moment to shift from subsidies to strategy—and unlock our latent core competencies.
Hospitality, for instance, employs more Canadians than tech but contributes only 2% of GDP. We must scale Canadian-owned hotel and tourism brands, integrating Indigenous culture, sustainability, and data-driven guest experiences. In sports, our universities can commercialize elite athletics, retaining talent and generating billions through homegrown leagues.
AI is Canada’s greatest untapped strength. We should commit $50 billion annually to AI startups, powered by university research and pension capital. Let’s stop exporting our best ideas.
Canada’s competitive edge will come not from slogans, but from building enduring capabilities. Now is the time—for youth, innovators, and institutions—to turn crisis into momentum and own the future.
