Analysis October 28, 2026

Strengthening Canada

An Economic Blueprint

Overview

Context

Canada's Human Capital Canada’s Place in the World Economic Strategy Industry and innovation Resources and the Environment

Context

Strengthening Canada: An Economic Blueprint draws on a comprehensive survey of more than 100 Business Council of Canada members, engagement with approximately two dozen leaders from the broader business and policy communities, and roundtables held in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and St. John’s.

The consultations identified strong support for strengthening Canada’s economic sovereignty and resilience, diversifying trade and investment relationships, and addressing persistent barriers to growth and competitiveness. The concern, however, is capacity. Does Canada have the people, rules and government structures to act with the speed we need?

The report sets out a practical agenda centred on three priorities:

Mobilize investment: Strengthen the conditions for private capital to flow into Canada’s economy, support productive investment and encourage long-term growth.

Build economic capacity: Expand workforce capacity, advance major projects, strengthen infrastructure and supply chains, and make Canada’s domestic market work more effectively as one economy.

Improve execution: Reduce regulatory complexity and red tape, improve coordination across governments and jurisdictions, and ensure policies translate into tangible economic results.

The report also emphasizes the importance of disciplined, targeted government action and meaningful private-sector participation in addressing strategic economic priorities.

Ultimately, Strengthening Canada is a call for governments and business leaders to move from shared ambition to coordinated action strengthening the foundations of Canada’s economy and creating the conditions for lasting prosperity.

Strengthening Canada: Business Leaders Identify Priorities for a Stronger, More Competitive Canada

September 10, 2026

A plan for investment-led growth

September 8, 2026

Acknowledgements

The Business Council of Canada would like to thank the Council members and external
experts who contributed their time and insights to this report. Although the Business
Council of Canada alone bears responsibility for this report, their insights and perspectives helped shape the thinking behind it.

Copyright

Report Citation

Business Council of Canada (2026, October 26).
Strengthening Canada. thebusinesscouncil.ca/report/strengthening-canada/

About the Business Council of Canada

Founded in 1976, the Business Council of Canada is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization representing business leaders in every region and sector of the country. The Council’s member companies employ more than two million Canadians, contribute the largest share of federal corporate taxes, and are responsible for most of Canada’s exports, corporate philanthropy, and private-sector investments in research and development. Through supply chain partnerships, service contracts and mentoring programs, Business Council members also support many hundreds of thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs in communities of all sizes, in every part of Canada.

Disclaimer

This report reflects the views of the Business Council of Canada. This report may or may not necessarily reflect the perspective of individual Business Council of Canada members and therefore should not be attributed to any one or more member.

Key Takeaways

Canada must turn its economic potential into economic strength. That means mobilizing private investment, building the capacity to deliver major projects and grow our workforce, reducing barriers to doing business across the country, and strengthening collaboration between governments and business. By focusing on practical, measurable results, Canada can build a more resilient, competitive and prosperous economy.

Overview

Canada faces a more uncertain and competitive global environment, one that demands a renewed focus on economic strength, resilience and long-term prosperity.

Strengthening Canada: An Economic Blueprint sets out a practical, business-informed agenda to help Canada meet this moment. Drawing on extensive consultations with business and policy leaders across the country, the report identifies opportunities for governments and the private sector to work together to strengthen Canada’s economic capacity, reduce vulnerabilities and improve the country’s ability to deliver results.

The report focuses on three priorities: mobilizing investment to drive growth; building the workforce, infrastructure and domestic economic capacity Canada needs to compete; and improving policy implementation to turn ambition into action.

The findings reflect a clear message from Canada’s business community: strengthening the country’s economic resilience and sovereignty requires a competitive investment environment, more effective collaboration between business and government, and a sustained commitment to getting things built.

Canada has the potential to succeed in a changing world. Realizing that potential will require decisive action, practical solutions and a shared commitment to building a stronger, more competitive economy.