Strengthening Canada: Business Leaders Identify Priorities for a Stronger, More Competitive Canada
Ottawa, ON – The Business Council of Canada (BCC) has concluded a series of national roundtables as part of its Strengthening Canada Project, bringing together business leaders, academics, public-sector policy experts, economists and others to examine how Canada can strengthen its economy and institutions in a more uncertain world.
Launched this spring, the project aims to respond to a rapidly changing global environment, including growing geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade relationships, intensifying competition for investment and talent, and a renewed focus by governments around the world on economic resilience and national capacity.
The project is being guided by three co-chairs: BCC President and CEO Goldy Hyder, former RBC Chair Katie Taylor and Scotiabank Chief Economist Jean-François Perrault.
The work began as a national consultation involving surveys and interviews with business leaders and stakeholders across the country. That research was followed by roundtables in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and St-John’s, where participants were asked to challenge the emerging findings, identify gaps and tensions, and help develop practical solutions for Canada.
“The message we heard consistently is that Canada has tremendous strengths, but we cannot assume those strengths will automatically translate into prosperity in a much more uncertain world,” said Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada. “The conversations we have had across the country have reinforced the need for greater public/private collaboration to help the federal government meet its ambitious goals.”
Several common themes have emerged through the consultation, including economic sovereignty, competition, labour force resiliency and government capacity.
The BCC will continue to analyze the input gathered through the consultation and roundtables as it develops a final report and recommendations to be released later this Fall.
“These conversations have given us a much clearer picture of both the challenges Canada faces and the opportunities in front of us,” said Hyder. “Our job now is to turn what we have heard into practical actions that can help make Canada stronger, more competitive and more resilient.”
