US manufacturing productivity growth has been dismal since the “Great Recession” of 2007-09, with the reasons why a mystery. During that time, growth in Canada’s manufacturing productivity has been on the rise, easily outpacing that of the United States. That’s the good news. However, the gap measured over a longer period remains and we will have to do better to attract manufacturing investments […]
Using a qualitative survey and interviews with front-line workers and decision-makers, we share insights about the most important drivers of and obstacles to innovation in Canadian hospitals.
April 4, 2025 – Canada is facing threats to its economic security and territorial integrity from the US. Responding to these threats is job one, but Canada’s next government must not lose sight of the need to strengthen its economy, according to a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “An Economic Strategy for […]
Canada is facing threats, and responding to them is job one. But our next government must not lose sight of the longer-term need to reduce our dependence on the US, raise our prosperity, to defend our sovereignty, and put Canada’s debt on a sustainable path.
From: Catherine BeaudryTo: Concerned Canadians Date: April 3, 2025Re: Let’s Not Let This Crisis Go to Waste Faced with people who constantly threaten others, my father used to say: bien faire et laisser braire, which literally translates as “do a good job and let them bray.” Wartime Britain’s “keep calm and carry on,” now so popular, is another version. […]
Canada’s Economic Policy Uncertainty Index has skyrocketed 400 percent since September, hitting an all-time high in February 2025. This unprecedented level of uncertainty coincides with plummeting business confidence, with 59 percent of small businesses expecting somewhat or much weaker performance by this time next year. Given Canada’s poor track record on business investment, this sharp collapse in business confidence underscores the urgent need to prioritize policies that will encourage business optimism, investment, and growth.
From: Parisa Mahboubi and Tingting ZhangTo: Canadian economic observersDate: March 26, 2025Re: We Have More Workers. Now We Have to Invest in Them As trade tensions with the United States escalate, putting tens of thousands of Canadian jobs at risk, our home-grown productivity problem continues to erode the country’s economic strength. Without a change of strategy, Canada faces […]
Published in The Gazette. Faced with people who constantly threaten others, my father used to say: bien faire et laisser braire, which literally translates as “do a good job and let them bray.” The old British wartime directive “keep calm and carry on,” now so popular, would be the equivalent today. We should heed this […]
From: Christina Caron and Glen HodgsonTo: Economy observersDate: March 10, 2025Re: Canada has a Productivity Growth Problem – as Does Almost Everybody Else Productivity growth is at the core of our prosperity and underpins any improvement in measured living standards. Not surprisingly, Canada’s poor productivity performance is attracting considerable attention. Canada’s productivity growth has been […]
From: Harvey NaglieTo: Financial regulation observers Date: March 6, 2025Re: Ontario’s Financial Future: Leading the Charge for a Competitive and Modernized Regulatory Framework Ontario faces a pivotal moment. As Canada’s financial capital, it has long benefited from a stable financial sector. However, the evolving global landscape demands more than stability – it requires bold leadership. […]
From: Sebastien BetermierTo: Economy observersDate: March 5, 2025Re: Can Public Infrastructure Banks Solve Market Failures and Catalyze Private Investment? Large-scale public and private infrastructure investments are required to meet a wide range of Canada’s current needs. For example, new transport systems, water and wastewater infrastructure are needed to resolve our housing shortage. Challenges to Canadian […]
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