Galvanizing Canadian Ambition: Going From Middle Power to Global Leader

Canada has long embraced its identity as a “middle power,” respected on the world stage, yet not mighty enough to wield hegemonic influence. But as Lawrence Zhang writes in a Research Money commentary, Canada has the potential to be more than just a supporting player. With greater ambition and the right vision, it can influence global markets and become a dominant force.

The Trump administration miscalculated when it launched its trade war, assuming Canada would passively accept economic coercion tantamount to annexation. But rather than submit, Canadians responded with outrage and unity—an unintended consequence that created an opportunity to shift the national narrative: Should Canada remain a middle power or aspire to more?

As Zhang outlines, Canada has the foundation to become an industrial powerhouse. The global political clout to match will follow, but only if it gets ambitious and capitalizes on its strengths.

• Canada is the most educated country in the world. It should give talent a reason to stay by helping firms scale up rather than incentivizing them to remain small.
• Canada possesses abundant natural resources and critical minerals. It should develop these assets in-house rather than set up bureaucratic roadblocks that stall extraction and processing.
• Canada's points-based immigration system is designed to attract talented human capital. It should use it to welcome researchers and scientists rather than to fill low-wage positions.
• Canada has the most coastline access in the world. It should utilize it to become a shipping powerhouse, rather than neglecting to fix old, inefficient infrastructure, which prevents factories and farms from getting goods onto cargo ships.
• Canada’s stable institutions and rule of law make it an attractive destination for foreign investment. It should embrace support rather than be reluctant to leverage these advantages.
• Canada shares an official language with almost half of the countries in the world. It should diversify its global influence rather than rely too heavily on the United States.

These are all ingredients for success, but just having them isn’t enough. The time has come for Canada to stop leaving its potential on the table and shed its comfortable complacency as a middle power. Policymakers should pursue ambitious and aggressive industrial strategies in key industries, detailing clear plans for tax policy, workforce training, incentives, regulation, and trade.

Canada's goal shouldn't be merely to survive or preserve the status quo. It should be to win.

Read the full commentary.