We get it. Public policy can be dense — that’s why Policy Matters aims to translate dry legislation, regulation and other federal decisions into informative and (hopefully) interesting reads.

Counting this one, we published 12 Policy Matters in 2024, covering a broad range of topics from productivity to housing to international trade. While a lot has happened in 2024, our three most popular topics — productivity, CUSMA and agriculture — are as relevant as ever.

Canada’s Productivity Problem

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While the importance of productivity to our economy has never wavered, the concept really started to hit public consciousness in 2023. The situation escalated in 2024 when the Bank of Canada called it a national emergency.

Productivity (measured by GDP created per hour worked) is directly linked to our standard of living — rising productivity improves wages, lowers prices and increases tax revenue that supports the public services Canadians value and rely on. Unfortunately, Canada’s productivity levels have been in decline for decades. Currently, a Canadian worker contributes about $100 to the national economy with the same time and effort that an American contributes $130.

There are several factors that influence our poor performance: skilled labour shortages, supply chain disruptions, lack of competition, high proportion of small businesses, and slow adoption of new technology, such as AI.

We can’t change our productivity levels overnight, but it’s too important a factor in standard of living and our collective ability to pay for things we want to not prioritize. With the return of President-elect Donald Trump and his proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S., we’re facing another critical hit to our productivity. In the recent BDL report, Partners in Prosperity, author and economics professor Trevor Tombe estimated that a 10% across-the-board tariff would result in a 1.6% decrease in labour productivity and lost income of $1,100 per Canadian annually. With a 25% tariff (and resulting trade retaliations), these numbers only get worse — roughly $1,900 per Canadian and a likely recession by the middle of 2025. 

To help make up the productivity difference, we need to focus on what we can do here at home, like:

• Strengthening investment in agriculture
• Increasing digital, technology and AI adoption in Canadian businesses, especially small businesses
• Ensuring intellectual property protection
• Increasing R&D investment
• Eliminating internal trade barriers for the free flow of goods across the country

As a nation of highly educated people, with an abundance of natural resources and the largest pool of top-tier AI researchers in the world, we are well equipped to turn things around if we have the political will.

Why It’s Time to Care about CUSMA

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Canada, the United States and Mexico share one of the largest trading relationships in the world, jointly accounting for almost a third of global GDP! This economic partnership is enabled by CUSMA, a free trade agreement.

President-elect Donald Trump has already stated that he intends to reopen CUSMA in 2026 and make changes that better align with American interests. But with Trump’s protectionist policies (including the previously mentioned 25% tariffs), these changes will likely disrupt the stable and predictable trading environment Canadians and Canadian businesses have greatly benefited from.

To ensure that the 2026 CUSMA review advances Canada’s economic interests there are several trade irritants that Canada should proactively address ahead of time: our new digital services tax which is a major source of contention with the United States, frequent labour disruptions and breakdowns in our supply chains, and our continued inability to meet the NATO defence spending commitment of 2% of GDP.

It’s important that Canada first and foremost prioritize ensuring the continuity of the Agreement and its existing key provisions. Ahead of time, we should work collaboratively with the U.S. and Mexico to advance targeted measures to strengthen the Agreement and enhance North American economic security. This has been the purpose of our 2024 trade missions to the U.S., which provided Canadian businesses opportunities to increase ties with U.S. counterparts and policymakers.

Advancing Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector

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Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector is an economic powerhouse, employing 2.3 million people and contributing around 7% of Canada’s GDP. In addition to supplying our own needs, this sector could singlehandedly meet the global demand for food — with the right investment.

Any strategic vision Canada has for the agri-food sector must facilitate access to expanding global markets, allowing us to achieve our 2028 goal of $95 billion in agri-food and seafood exports and $250 billion in sector revenues.

Investing in the agriculture and agri-food sector is good for Canada because the same measures that will lead to growth in the sector will also have ripple effects across our economy. For instance, the expansion of our agriculture and agri-food industry is largely dependent on our ability to move goods efficiently and reliably to international markets. This will require investing in strategic and long-term trade and transportation infrastructure that solidifies our international supply chains, which will benefit every other industry that exports.

And then there’s productivity. In general, sectors like agriculture that have a large share of SMEs are among the least likely to adopt new technology. However, technological adoption is a significant contributor to productivity and if we can help the agriculture sector increase adoption rates, not only will it benefit from the growth and increased productivity, but Canada’s national productivity will benefit too.

Finally, as President-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs loom, we can make more valuable products here at home and sell them globally at a higher price by developing our domestic processing and manufacturing capacity. We too often ship our raw commodities abroad to be processed by another country (like the U.S.) only to buy them back as a new product. Encouraging value-added agricultural processing will lead to more jobs and economic activity that is not as reliant on our trade relationship with the U.S.

Join us next year for more Policy Matters where we’ll keep dissecting and exploring the public policy topics that affect the success of businesses and lives and livelihoods of Canadians across the company.

This featured blog was provided by our partners at GSK.

For years, experts have lamented Canada’s “sick care system” has been built to treat illness rather than prevent disease. And while Canada has moved beyond the processes and protocols associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to face looming public health threats, including a surge in cases of vaccine preventable diseases and increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) posing a lethal threat to formerly manageable infections.

These challenges and more – compounded with an aging population in Canada – are putting tremendous pressure on health care systems. Not only is this costly for health care systems and the economy, but it also impacts the quality of life and longevity of Canadians.

Organizations like biopharma company GSK are working hard to harness the power of science and technology to develop innovative solutions that enable Canadians to get ahead of disease. By prioritizing prevention and early intervention, GSK and others aim to not only prevent illness from occurring in the first place but also limit complications associated with diseases and slow the spread of AMR.

Immunization is arguably one of the most important and cost-effective public health innovations. In fact, immunization has saved more lives in Canada than any other health intervention and has contributed to the reduction in morbidity and mortality in adults, children and other vulnerable populations.”[1]

Yet despite scientific and medical advances in the development of disease-preventing vaccines, and clear recommendations put forward by Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), public funding of recommended adult immunizations across Canada is patchy and inconsistent.[2] The current system is underserving adults, and the Canadian population over the age of 65 is projected to continue to grow which will only exacerbate the issue.[3]

For too long, governments have treated immunization as a budgetary cost, rather than an upstream investment in prevention. And that may be in part because it’s been difficult to quantify what exactly that investment yields. Until now.

In Fall 2024, the Adult Vaccines Alliance published a study[4] conducted by IQVIA which set out to better understand the value of vaccines[5] in Canada by quantifying the return on investment (ROI). The findings were staggering:

• For every dollar invested in adult vaccination, there is more than three times (341%) value returned in health and economic benefits.
• Adult vaccines have a major impact on Canada’s economy, currently saving over $2.5 billion annually in unnecessary health care costs and lost economic productivity.
• For every dollar invested in adult vaccination, there is more than three times (341%) value returned in health and economic benefits.
  Adult vaccines have a major impact on Canada’s economy, currently saving over $2.5 billion annually in unnecessary health care costs and lost economic productivity.

Despite these findings and acknowledgement by governments of the benefits of vaccines[5], two separate recent reports found that routine vaccine procurement accounts for only 0.2% of total public healthcare spending in Canada.[6][7]

At a time when governments are working tirelessly to sustain access and build resiliency for their healthcare systems, immunization against infectious diseases that can result in a significant reduction in doctor visits, prescription medicines, and hospitalization is a very cost-effective, yet underutilized tool in the toolbox.[8]

In parallel with the federal government’s efforts to improve access to medications for Canadians, federal funding to improve access to NACI-recommended adult vaccines would be an evidence-based investment rather than a cost to government, and a positive shift toward prevention.

More than ever, getting ahead of disease is the best investment – for patients, communities, health systems, the environment, and the economy.

Disclosure: GSK is a member of the Adult Vaccines Alliance

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[1] Get Immunized – Canada.ca

[2] iqvia-institute-trends-in-global-vaccination-covid-07-23-forweb.pdf (globalcoalitiononaging.com)

[3] BIOTECanada_Vaccine-Funding-and-Access-Gap_Final-Report_May-2023.pdf (biotech.ca)

[4] Counting the impact of vaccines (who.int)

[5] Learn about Immunization | immunizecanada

[6] adult-vaccines-access-report.pdf (gsk.com)

[7] https://www.fraserinstitute.org/blogs/canadas-aging-population-what-does-it-mean-for-government-finances#:~:text=In%202010%2C%2014.1%20per%20cent,65%20and%20up)%20is%20falling

[8] The Unmet Value of Vaccines in Canada – IQVIA Study — Adult Vaccine Alliance – Alliance Vaccins pour Adultes

 

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On November 18, 2024, the Canadian Chamber’s Cyber. Right. Now. Council hosted its second in-person series of meetings with senior government officials from across departments, agencies and ministries to discuss the state of cybersecurity, cybercrime, cyber resilience and cybersecurity legislation in Canada, as well as the critical role cybersecurity plays in protecting Canada’s economy, infrastructure and society.

The meetings took place at the Canadian Chamber’s Ottawa office and on Parliament Hill and included conversations with the Communications Security Establishment Canada, the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity, Public Safety Canada, RCMP’s National Cybercrime Coordination Centre, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Discussions led by the Canadian Chamber focused on the following key areas during these meetings:

Economic Security Is National Security

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• A need to strengthen capacity to counter misinformation and propaganda campaigns as state and non-state threat actors increasingly exploit cognitive and technological vulnerabilities.

• Cyber threats directly impact Canada’s economy, with billions in losses annually. That’s why cyber resilience is foundational to safeguarding our national interests and why national security requires economic cooperation.
• Greater investments in cybersecurity education and the retention of skilled talent are essential in meeting the growing demand and competition for skilled professionals domestically and globally, thereby strengthening our economic and national security. Online security affects Canadians of all generations, regardless of when they were born. It’s never too early, or too late, to start educating Canadians on how to practice good cyber hygiene, especially as exposure to gadgets, devices and technologies grows daily.

Cybersecurity Leadership

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• Canada’s G7 Presidency in 2025 will provide a unique opportunity to put cybersecurity on the podium and show leadership. Considering our cybersecurity capabilities, including Canada’s impressive pool of companies, technologies, talent and expertise, it’s time for Canada to be bold and showcase our strengths.

The Need for Secure by Design, Secure by Default and Secure by Demand

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• Given that the Internet of Things has become the Internet of Everything, the Canadian Chamber must raise public awareness through advocacy about the critical importance of cybersecurity being incorporated into every system we build. Security cannot be bolted on as an after-thought, it must be designed in from the get-go. Due to the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape — with the threat surface and threat sophistication constantly growing — increasing cyber resilience throughout the entire life-cycle of products and systems is essential. This will help reduce exposure.

Cybersecurity Legislation

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• Alarming emerging trends of homegrown cyber criminals and cybercrime-as-a-service are on the rise, and losses due to cybercrime in Canada are up 50%, hitting $1.2 billion in 2023.¹ As cybercrime and cyber attacks surge, there is an urgent need to put cybersecurity legislation in place and pass Bill C-26, An Act respecting cybersecurity, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts. While the Bill might not be perfect, it is a step in the right direction.

The Importance of Public-Private Partnerships and Collaboration

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• Cybersecurity is a team sport and that fact is all the more pronounced and important considering the increasing prevalence of cybercrime and geopolitical tensions and complexities. Public-private cybersecurity partnerships, continuous collaboration and two-way information sharing between government and industry are key in helping safeguard businesses, governments and societies. The Canadian Chamber believes that continuous investment in Canadian cybersecurity innovation is also important so we can remain competitive and be lock-step with our allies and key trading partners when it comes to cybersecurity. This will further boost innovation, create jobs and retain talent, resulting in a strengthened economy and enhanced national security. After all, economic security is national security!

Supporting the Fight Against Cyber-Enabled Fraud

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• Canadians are flooding the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre with more than 400,000 calls annually and only about 30,000 (7.5%) can be answered. Cyber-enabled fraud in Canada is a nearly $6 billion issue, with only an estimated 5–10% of victims reporting to police. Resourcing for the RCMP’s National Cybercrime Coordination Centre (NC3) and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is failing to keep up and we are concerned these organizations will fall further behind in meeting the growing the demand for their services.²

To learn more about the Council’s advocacy in this space, visit the Cyber. Right. Now. Council page or contact Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, Senior Director, Digital Economy, Technology & Innovation, and Cyber. Right. Now. Council Lead.

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¹ Statistics Canada, Impact of cybercrime on Canadian businesses, 2023, October 2024, URL: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/241021/dq241021a-eng.htm

² Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP’s 2024-25 Departmental plan at a glance, January 2024, URL: https://rcmp.ca/en/corporate-information/publications-and-manuals/2024-25-departmental-plan

This blog was provided by SOS Children’s Villages Canada.

Your company can create lasting change this holiday season by supporting SOS Children’s Villages Canada’s youth education and employment programs. SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ensuring that children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, receive the support and opportunities they need to become their strongest selves. Each year, millions of children, youth, and families in over 130 countries benefit from our programs.

Building futures through YouthCan!

YouthCan! is SOS Children’s Villages’ global initiative designed to help youth without parental care or at risk of losing it successfully transition to independence. We’re building the next generation of empowered, self-reliant leaders by providing young people with employability skills, mentorship, and real-world work opportunities.

In 2023, YouthCan! reached nearly 18,000 youth in 50 countries thanks to over 1,750 corporate volunteers. By partnering with leading businesses, the program provides customized training, internships, and mentorship that help youth realize their potential and build sustainable futures.

From challenges to success: Lizeth’s story

Lizeth, a 22-year-old student in Mexico, is pursuing a degree in digital business while running two small businesses—selling stationery and phone cases. Her path to success was anything but easy.

Her family first connected with SOS Children’s Villages through the Family Strengthening Program, which supports vulnerable families with parenting resources, economic empowerment, and community support to prevent crises that could lead to child abandonment.

Through YouthCan!, Lizeth gained professional and personal skills and the confidence to continue evolving as a student and entrepreneur.

SOS Children’s Villages genuinely cares about supporting young people,” says Lizeth, “They offer more than just financial assistance; they create a safe space for youth to express themselves, view life positively and fight for a better future while developing a support network.

Alejandro, a virtual mentor with YouthCan!, highlights the program’s transformative impact:

This activity is of great significance because, as mentors, we touch the lives and dreams of young people with great futures ahead.

Why your partnership matters

The need is urgent—nearly 22% of young people worldwide are not in education, employment, or training, and young women are twice as likely to face this challenge. Moreover, 1 in 10 children have lost parental care or are separated from their family, leaving them even more vulnerable as they transition to adulthood. Bridging the gap between school and work is an uphill battle without a family support network.

That’s where you can make a difference.

End the year with 3X impact

Partner with SOS Children’s Villages Canada to empower youth worldwide, offering them the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their dreams. Your company’s support can fund life-changing mentorship, training, and career development opportunities while aligning with your company’s Corporate Social Responsibility goals.

Plus, until December 31, 2024, every dollar donated will be matched 3-to-1, tripling your impact.

Together, we can create a world where every young person has the opportunity to succeed. Visit SOS Children’s Villages Canada’s website or contact partners@soschildrensvillages.ca to learn more.

This featured blog was provided by our partners at Freightcom.

Freightcom is an established trailblazer in the shipping industry, offering unmatched shipping solutions tailored to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) needs.

Here’s How:

1. Cost Savings Without Compromise
2. Simplified Shipping Processes
3. Innovative Technology for Modern Commerce
4. Support Every Step of the Way

Freightcom’ s commitment to customer service ensures that SMBs aren’t just getting tools but a true partner for their shipping needs.

1. Cost Savings Without Compromise

Shipping costs can be a significant burden for SMBs who compete with larger corporations. Freightcom provides real-time discounted shipping rates from over 50+ trusted carriers, all in one platform. Whether you’re shipping domestically, cross-border, or internationally, Freightcom ensures that you’re getting the most competitive rates available.

2. Simplified Shipping Processes

Freightcom’s all-in-one platform removes shipping complexity. Manage multiple LTL freight to courier shipments and compare rates seamlessly under one platform.

Focus on scaling your business by streamlining tasks like printing labels, scheduling pickups, and tracking shipments with Freightcom.

3. Innovative Technology for Modern Commerce

Freightcom’s platform and integrations, along with our eCommerce solution ClickShip, bring cutting-edge technology directly to your business.

• Stand-alone Platform: A dedicated platform to compare rates, print labels and track your shipment, Freightcom provides a unified system that is quick and easy to use.
• Marketplace Integration: Whether you sell on Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, Amazon, and many other marketplaces, ClickShip by Freightcom ensures a smooth shipping experience for your customers.
• Automation: Say goodbye to manual errors and inefficiencies. Freightcom’s technology automates routine tasks, reducing your operational load.

For SMBs in today’s fast-paced digital economy, these platforms are a game-changer.

4. Support Every Step of the Way

Freightcom assists with everything from setting up your account to solving unexpected shipping challenges. Our commitment to SMB success is demonstrated by our personalized service.

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Freightcom, your Go-To Shipping Solution! 

Freightcom is more than a shipping platform; it’s a partner in growth. With unbeatable cost savings, technology-driven solutions, and personalized support, we empower SMBs to compete on a larger stage.

Streamline your operations, cut costs, and elevate your shipping game, with Freightcom.

Ready to transform your shipping experience?

Visit https://www.freightcom.com/chamber-shipping-program and let one of our dedicated account managers guide you through your first shipment. 

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce convened a delegation of Canadian business leaders in São Paulo, Brazil from October 23 to October 25 for the B20 Summit. The business-led trade mission highlighted the importance of Canadian engagement with the region, the importance of the B20 as a convening forum for the global business community, as well as need for deepening cooperation between the G7 and the G20.

From its inception in 1999, Canada has been an important player in the G20. Canada is widely credited with pioneering the concept and mission of the G20, co-creating it as a finance ministerial forum in 1999 under the direction of Finance Minister Paul Martin. Successive Canadian governments have since worked with other member countries to strengthen and elevate the forum to a major leader-level intergovernmental organization that now comprises around 85% of the world’s GDP.

As global trade grows increasingly fragmented, the G20 has emerged as an increasingly relevant international forum for bridging divides and facilitating productive global economic cooperation. In this context, it is important that the Canadian government meaningfully engage the G20 to ensure that this important global platform works for Canada and Canadian businesses. As Canada holds the G7 Presidency in 2025, how Canada engages with the G20 will be particularly consequential in the coming months.

In 2024, Brazil holds the G20 Presidency and Brazil’s National Confederation of Industry (CNI) serves as the Business 20 (B20) host organization. The B20 is the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community.

Throughout this past year, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with CNI to develop the B20’s key priorities. Through the Canadian Chamber’s ongoing engagement with the B20, Canadian businesses are influencing the G20 agenda by shaping the B20 Brazil Final Communique and the activities of the various B20 Task Forces and Action Councils.

The Canadian Chamber’s mission to the B20 Summit in São Paulo sought to build on these ongoing efforts by deepening connections between Canadian and Brazilian businesses, as well as by connecting Canadian businesses with the G20 business community.

The Canadian Chamber’s business delegation included Canadian business leaders from various sectors including mining, financial services, professional services, and investment promotion.

Brazil-Canada Summit

The Canadian Chamber delegates kicked off the mission in São Paulo on October 23 with the Brazil-Canada Summit. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC), the Brazil-Canada Summit brought together key speakers from business, government, and academia, for sessions focused on advancing Canadian innovation in Brazil and on a global scale. Speakers included, Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Ambassador of Canada to Brazil, Loui Anastasopoulos, CEO at TSX, and Matthew Holmes, the Canadian Chamber’s EVP International and Chief Public Policy.

Bloomberg New Economy

Bloomberg New Economy at B20 is a special global gathering that took place on the margins of the B20 Summit in São Paulo. The Bloomberg New Economy event brought business and government together to set the agenda for global economic development and transformation. Canadian Chamber delegates enjoyed access to this premier global event, which featured Carlos Fávaro, Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Katherine Tai, Trade Representative of the United States of America, as well as a variety of global business leaders including Bill Gates.

Canadian Chamber Roundtable on Canada-Brazil & G20

On the second day of the mission, prior to the official start of the B20 Summit, Canadian Chamber delegates took part in an exclusive morning roundtable discussion regarding Canada-Brazil relations, Brazil’s G20 Presidency, and the future of Canda’s engagement with the region. This roundtable was co-hosted by Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC). In addition to the Canadian Chamber delegation, participants included Caroline Charette, Consul General of Canada to Brazil in São Paulo, as well as Brazilian policy experts, representatives of Brazilian trade and investment promotion government agencies, and businesses.

B20 Summit

The B20 Summit bought together over 1,000 business representatives from G20 countries to discuss economic and business issues of global significance. The 2-day B20 Summit program included panels and engagement opportunities with global experts, business leaders, and G20 government officials, including Brazil’s Vice-President, Geraldo Alckmin. Canadian Chamber delegates participated in the formal B20 program, as well as networking activities and various informal side-meetings.

Making the G7 and G20 work for Canadian business

Since returning from the B20 Summit in São Paulo, the Canadian Chamber team has remained engaged in finding ways to make the G20 work for Canadian businesses. In the lead up to the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Matthew Holmes participated in a high-level roundtable on Canadian business’ interests related to the G20 hosted by the Rotman School of Management. Key roundtable participants included Cynthia Termorshuizen, Canada’s G7 Sherpa, Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Ambassador of Canada to Brazil, and the Hon. Bill Morneau, Canada’s 39th Minister of Finance from 2015 to 2020.

Looking forward, next year’s G20 and G7 Presidencies will present significant opportunities for Canadian businesses. South Africa will hold the G20 Presidency, marking the first time an African country has presided over the G20, and Canada will hold the G7 Presidency. The Canadian Chamber will remain steadfastly committed to advancing the interests of Canadian businesses through our leadership as the B7 host organization in Canada, as well as our close engagement with our South African partners on the B20.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce extends our sincere thanks to our partners, the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada and the Consulate General of Canada in São Paulo, for their assistance with our mission.

On Monday, November 25, we hosted a celebratory dinner in Toronto to honour an extraordinary leader in the Canadian business community. Ian Edwards, President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis was recognized for his innovation and leadership in propelling Canadian business into the international arena and was honoured as our 2024 International Business Leader of the Year. The evening was amplified by a special presentation from political analyst, David Frum, who offered his insight into the most recent U.S. election results. This, coupled with the talent of local musicians and a room full of honoured guests ready to celebrate Mr. Edwards, made this night truly memorable.

Ian Edwards, International Business Leader of the Year

Ian L. Edwards is the President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world. In his role, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the company, developing a growth plan for sustainable success and pursuing AtkinsRéalis’ purpose of “Engineering a better future for the planet and its people”. 

For over 30 years, Mr. Edwards has been delivering complex infrastructure projects and leading businesses in the engineering and major projects industry in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. As a global executive with multidisciplinary expertise, he has redirected vision with a focus on creating value by simplifying and de-risking business, delivering high-quality global services locally and executing a roadmap that ensures financial resiliency, accelerates organic and inorganic growth, and creates value for shareholders. 

In 2019, Mr. Edwards was appointed President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin), a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world. At the helm of AtkinsRéalis, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the company, steering its growth plan for sustainable success and pursuing its purpose to engineer a better future for the planet and its people.  

In 2023, Mr. Edwards spearheaded the unification of several brands under the name AtkinsRéalis, an inflection point for the company after many years of successful transformation to become a leading Engineering Services and Project Management company. 

Mr. Edwards is committed to pushing the sustainability envelope from discussion to action, bringing to the forefront the engineering solutions required to address the most pressing global challenges of our time such as climate adaptation and the transition to clean energy including nuclear power. Through Mr. Edwards’ leadership, AtkinsRéalis continues to demonstrate its ability to enable sustainable, efficient, and better outcomes for clients and the communities they serve.  

Mr. Edwards is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. He supports various philanthropic causes such as the annual United Way/Centraide campaign and the McGill University Health Centre Foundation. Mr. Edwards invests in his continuous personal development while also nurturing a culture where values of safety, integrity, collaboration, innovation and excellence are lived every day, driving how one works, delivers and shows up in the world.  

We were once again joined by local Toronto band, the Supersonic Hearts Band during dinner for some light ambiance. We were also very excited to have notable political analyst, David Frum offer a special presentation and fireside chat after dinner. As a Staff Writer at The Atlantic, David’s commentary on social and political issues generates thought-provoking discussions throughout America and around the world. He sat down with our Executive Vice President, International & Chief of Public Policy, Matthew Holmes to earnestly discuss the current state of Canada-U.S. relations and how our economic landscape might fare over the next several years.

We would like to extend a special thank you to
the Ritz-Carlton and all of our event sponsors.

Canada’s manufacturing sector is a foundational piece of our economy. It employs 1.7 million Canadians, represents more than 10% of our total GDP, and makes up over 68% of all physical goods sold to other countries. It’s also an integral component of the complex Canada-U.S. trade relationship, with exports equaling almost $30 billion per month.

Risks and Uncertainty for Canadian Manufacturing

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The manufacturing sector has faced domestic challenges since the early 2000s — high tax and regulatory burdens, labour and skill shortages, sluggish productivity and low investment — but it’s also facing external threats. 

Because of the manufacturing sector’s role in our economic relationship with the U.S. — most of our imports and exports with the U.S. are intermediate inputs that are used by producers to make another product — the sector is often affected by changes in U.S. policies, regulations and tariffs.

We can’t know the exact priorities for the Trump Presidency, but we do know that if steps are not taken to strengthen Canada’s manufacturing sector, the next four years could have potentially serious implications across multiple industries.

Growing Protectionist Sentiment in the U.S.

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Lately, there’s been growing bipartisan consensus in the U.S. on “Buy America” protectionist policies that are at odds with the goal of North American economic cooperation. In the lead up to the election, President Trump regularly declared his love for tariffs, saying he’d enact tariffs on U.S. imports of anywhere from 10% all the way up to 50%.

We can’t know which number he’ll land on, but even if it’s at the lower end of the spectrum, the economic impacts will be significant. In the Business Data Lab’s new report, Partners in Prosperity: Exploring the Significance of Canada-U.S. Trade, author Trevor Tombe projects that a 10% tariff would result in a 22% decline in Canadian energy and manufacturing exports and a nearly 1% reduction in labour productivity!

The 2026 CUSMA Review

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The goal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is North American economic cooperation. Since the agreement came into effect in 2020, there has been a 47% increase in North American trade, as well as an additional 4 million new jobs supported by this trade.

On July 1, 2026, the three participating countries will decide whether to extend CUSMA for a new 16-year term. If they choose not to, there will be a review every year until the Agreement terminates in 2036.

And though CUSMA was introduced and passed during President Trump’s first administration, that doesn’t mean the Agreement is safe. During the recent election campaign, President Trump stated that he intends to open up the trade deal with Canada and Mexico. 

As a trading nation, Canada’s economic success is linked to our relationships with the United States and Mexico, our first and third largest trade partners respectively. Even the promise of changes to CUSMA could result in investment uncertainty for manufacturers, driving Canadian manufacturing companies to establish operations in other countries with fewer import barriers and trade restrictions. The preservation of CUSMA will be essential if we want to uphold the free flow of goods between Canada and the U.S. and maintain the integrated nature of North America’s manufacturing operations and supply chains.

Read “Policy Matters: Why It’s Time to Care about CUSMA” for more about the Agreement and what it means to Canada.

Read our submission to Global Affairs Canada regarding the 2024 CUSMA Joint Review.

The Automotive Industry

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Canada’s automotive industry is one of our largest manufacturing sectors, directly employing almost 120,000 people and contributing $12.5 billion in GDP. Motor vehicles and parts are the second most significant U.S. import for Canada.

The Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022 by the Biden administration, has had repercussions on Canada’s automotive industry. In the Standing Committee on International Trade’s report, The United States’ Inflation Reduction Act of 2022: Trade Impact on Certain Canadian Sectors, the Committee compiled the testimonies of witnesses, with some expressing concern that the IRA is an act of trade protectionism and that it “seeks to ‘forc[e] the onshoring’ of certain automotive production capabilities to the United States from abroad at the expense of Canada and other countries.” 

It may have been a Biden-era Act, but Trump doesn’t seem to disagree about onshoring the U.S. automotive manufacturing industry. During his campaign, he announced a 100% tariff on cars made in Mexico to encourage U.S. based manufacturing in the auto industry. He’s also promised to remove electric vehicle mandates and shift production back to the U.S., focusing on bringing jobs to states like Pennsylvania and Georgia.

Trade in motor vehicles and parts is largely balanced between the U.S. and Canada. If a Trump Administration were to introduce more protectionist automotive industry policies, this balance could shift in the U.S.’s favour, reducing Canada’s market access and leading to increased production costs and complications. In turn, this would put pressure on our EV transition and reduce opportunities for Canadian companies to benefit from collaborative R&D initiatives with U.S. companies.

Manufacturing Sovereignty

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With uncertainty and risks ahead for Canadian manufacturing, the best thing Canada can do is strengthen our manufacturing sector so that its fate and fortune aren’t determined by the choices of the U.S.’s current and future administrations.

Recommendations

• Diversify our export market destinations to the U.S. by exploring opportunities in Europe, the Indo-Pacific and other regions through targeted trade missions and agreements.
• Protect crucial supply chains by giving government the tools to compel binding arbitration.
• Introduce targeted investment tax credits to spur innovation and productivity in the manufacturing sector.
• Modernize Canada’s regulatory framework to increase investment, economic growth and jobs by fixing outdated and complex regulations that block innovation, increase costs and hinder our competitiveness.
• Mandate an economic lens for regulators to support economic growth and competitiveness.
• Expedite credential recognition to let qualified workers fully use their skills wherever they are needed across the country.
• Bolster regulatory harmonization between Canada and the U.S.

A coordinated industrial policy that includes the above recommendations would put Canadian manufacturers in the best possible position to innovate, grow and scale.

This blog was provided by our partners at AtkinsRéalis

“We can’t reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and reach our net zero goals without mining.”

Dr. Gabriel Castillo-Devoto, director of ESG and sustainability, North America, Minerals and Metals, AtkinsRéalis.

As one of Canada’s largest industries, mining has a big part to play in our country’s efforts to create a more sustainable future by helping us achieve net zero. Canada has some of the biggest mining operations in the world; the minerals sector accounts for almost 700,000 Canadian jobs, $148-billion of the country’s gross domestic product and more than 20 per cent of its domestic exports ($158-billion). 

Minerals and metals, such as lithium in electric vehicle batteries and silicon in solar panels, are essential for decarbonization. They are also crucial for medical devices, construction materials and household appliances. Without mining and critical minerals, our modern world would be vastly different, missing many of the conveniences we depend on and hindering technological progress, economic development and our capacity to address environmental challenges.

As a key leader in the industry, Montreal-based AtkinsRéalis is poised to help miners set the example for what climate-friendly practices look like in action. The company’s global experts work on sustainable mining projects from inception to closure, including water resources, environmental assessment and compliance, mine-closure planning and decommissioning and tailings-storage design and management. And Dr. Castillo-Devoto says it’s all done with sustainability in mind.

“What’s unique is that we speak the mining language, we have the technology, but we also understand the mining footprint throughout the mine’s lifecycle, bringing multistep analysis to areas like biodiversity, climate change adaptation and community involvement, says Dr. Castillo-Devoto. 

The reality of that footprint is that demands for certain metals essential for achieving sustainable, net zero infrastructure are increasing dramatically. Copper, for instance, will be required at unprecedented levels as countries shift to more electric energy solutions, requiring double the current annual copper production to 50 million metric tons.

To access these critical minerals mining projects today ensure that energy use is minimized, natural resources are managed carefully and strategies to incorporate clean energy sources are implemented.

In a remote, subarctic landscape of Canada’s Northwest Territories for example, experts at AtkinsRéalis defined the water management strategy for a large diamond mine, including the estimated capital and operating costs of water treatment plants. 

“From the top of the mountains to the ocean, we provide a holistic perspective with water management at the mining site and an integrated water stewardship along the basin,” explains Dr. Castillo-Devoto. “Forming a responsible plan for water management requires experts who understand the watershed, the unique requirements for each project, the potential impacts from extreme weather events and a number of other complex factors.”

The End Is as Important as the Beginning

A mining project’s closure is a significant part of its lifecycle and must be planned in detail to address the impact to the local biodiversity and the community.

“Years ago, closing was looked at as a cost instead of a value, an investment,” says Dr. Castillo-Devoto. “But that’s no longer the case. Now, our priority is planning for closure land use options that enhance nature, biodiversity and sustainability over time. We take great care to leave a place in better shape than it was before we arrived.” 

For example, at a nickel mine on an island near Australia, a rare species of tree was discovered during the project’s early days. Focused on protecting biological diversity, the team at AtkinsRéalis found a way to save the tree, clone it and plant hundreds more, leaving behind a forest.

Similarly, tailing ponds, one of the methods used to store tailings – the waste material left over from ore extraction processes – are designed carefully so that when they are no longer used, “they can be a nice place to go for a walk, even a park,” Isabelle Richard, head of sustainability, Quebec, Minerals and Metals at AtkinsRéalis. “The objective with site closures is that no one would even know there was a mine there at one point.”

This sustainable approach to mine closures was on display in northern Quebec, where local community leaders, including those from regional First Nations, were engaged and consulted for nearly three years. 

“We wanted the community to feel empowered and these considerations are embedded in the way that we design a project, so the communities have to be involved from the start because that is their home and they need to have their say,” says Ms. Richard.

Mining Needed for Net Zero

It’s a fact that the mining industry and its products are intertwined into almost everyone’s everyday life, including smartphones, laptops, clothing and bicycles.

“But even more than that, metals and minerals are a necessity in the building of both the technology and infrastructure that will lead us to our decarbonization goals,” says Ms. Richard. For instance, lithium for lithium-ion batteries used in most of today’s electric vehicles requires extraction from the earth and likewise for the metals and silicon needed in solar panels. 

She adds that mining companies that want to stay relevant and competitive have already made, or are looking at making, changes to their practice as regulations are moving in the sustainable direction, including a more diverse workplace.

“Mining is an industry focused on the future, not the past, offering a promising path to those who wish to join this dynamic and vibrant sector,” she says.

To thrive, the industry must embrace diversity, she explains, by attracting women, younger generations and individuals from various backgrounds as well as fostering mutually respectful relationships with local Indigenous communities.

“This requires a shift in how we communicate and present the industry,” Ms. Richard adds, “because critical minerals are essential for safeguarding our planet, and we must show that sustainable mining is possible.”     

This blog was provided by our partners at Contextere.

In the rush to embrace artificial intelligence, we have often overlooked a crucial element: the human factor. While AI has revolutionized many sectors, its implementation has frequently focused on replacing workers rather than enhancing their capabilities. This approach not only undermines the potential of AI but also neglects the valuable skills and experience of our workforce, particularly in industrial settings.

Industrial technical workers make critical minute-to-minute decisions that impact productivity, safety, and costs. Despite their importance, they often contend with outdated processes and digital tools. As we face a growing skills gap and an aging workforce transitioning to fewer, less experienced workers, it is imperative that we leverage AI to support and empower these essential employees. By upskilling workers and providing them with AI-enhanced tools, we can create a workforce that is more productive, autonomous, and adaptable to changing industry needs. Providing industrial workers with AI-powered tools that offer real-time, contextualized information, we can enhance their decision-making capabilities and productivity.

Looking beyond supporting the historically under-supported industrial blue collar workforce, AI must also pivot towards more sustainable and ecological practices.  Implementing small, energy-efficient language models can help reduce the environmental impact of AI systems. These models consume less computational power and energy, making them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) methodologies play a crucial role in achieving both sustainability and accuracy. RAG allows AI systems to access external knowledge sources, reducing the need for constant model updates and retraining and thereby minimizing the computational resources required for maintaining these models. Furthermore, RAG techniques significantly enhance the reliability of AI systems by providing clear, referenceable sources of truth, ensuring that the information used by front-line technicians is accurate and verifiable. This approach significantly reduces the risk of AI hallucinations, which are common in large language models, by grounding responses in factual, retrievable data.

We believe in a future driven by more job losses due to automation but more job opportunities through technology. To realize this vision of human-centric, accessible, and sustainable AI, we must invest in AI tools designed specifically for industrial workers while prioritizing jobsite-appropriate user interfaces and real-time contextual information delivery. By embracing this approach, we can create a future where AI does not replace workers but empowers them, leading to increased productivity, improved safety, and a more engaged workforce. It is time to shift our focus from viewing AI as a replacement to seeing it as an enhancement, ensuring that the benefits of this transformative technology are accessible to all workers across all industries.