Canada

While Trump’s tariffs pose an unprecedented threat to Canada’s economy, they should serve as a wake-up call. Canadian policymakers must seize this moment to enact bold reforms that drive innovation, boost productivity, and strengthen global competitiveness.

Watch now for a panel discussion with international experts who discussed why nations operating by the Anglo-Saxon economic playbook must abandon their reliance on purely market-driven capitalism, how they can reverse their recent declines, and what alternative systems policymakers should embrace to meet the demands of a modern, technology-driven global economy.

Unfortunately for Canada, Trump is a steadfast protectionist. To respond effectively to his threatened tariffs, Canadian officials must first understand Trump's mindset.

Canada’s lagging productivity and innovation, combined with the second term of Donald Trump, is driving the country’s policy leaders to embrace a deeply flawed idea: techno-economic nationalism. This approach will harm Canadian innovation and provoke Trump.

Opponents should argue 1) this beef with Canada and Mexico is trivial; 2) without allies, America will lose the war against China, period; and conversely 3) a key way to beat China is to develop a North American production system.

Instead of viewing foreign tech companies as competitors to domestic innovation, Canada must embrace their complementary role in fostering a vibrant, interconnected tech ecosystem.

Canadian consumers should not have to bear the costs of the Online Streaming Act. If the creation and promotion of Canadian content is a societal goal, then it should be funded by the government.

Canadian telecommunications policy under successive governments has taken for granted that the domestic industry suffers an inadequate supply of market participants. But that assumption is unmoored from reality on various fronts.

Big Canadian telcos, grocery stores, and banks have not seen major changes in profitability over the past four years or compared to their international peers. Rising prices should not be attributed to “price gouging” but plain old inflation.

Age assurances are not the only available option to protect children online. But if policymakers are set on mandating age assurance systems, regulation should be limited to high-risk circumstances, avoid inflexible requirements, and be designed to be technologically and commercially agnostic.