Canada’s economic challenge: Insights from the Coalition for a Better Future’s #GrowthForAllCdns Campaign
With a federal election on the horizon, the stakes for Canada’s future prosperity is high. Output per capita is declining, labour productivity has worsened, and many Canadians—particularly young people, immigrants, and racialized communities—are struggling more than ever. Meanwhile, our efforts to decarbonize the economy are faltering, and rising global uncertainties, including the new Trump administration in the United States, underscore the urgent need for Canada to become more productive, write ANNE MCLELLAN AND LISA RAITT, CO-CHAIRS OF THE COALITION FOR A BETTER FUTURE.
Coalition for a Better Future co-chairs Anne McLellan and Lisa Raitt, pictured at the 2024 Better Canada Youth Forum. PHOTO CREDIT: Telfer School of Management
As co-chairs of the Coalition for a Better Future, we are proud to share the insights gathered through our #GrowthForAllCdns campaign, a nationwide initiative that has driven important conversations about economic growth and its significance to Canada’s future.
Since the campaign’s launch in March 2024, we’ve engaged with Canadians across the country — from business leaders and community organizations to students and everyday citizens. These discussions have painted a vivid picture of the challenges and opportunities Canadians see when it comes to economic growth.
The verdict is clear: Canadians perceive a troubling lack of urgency from our leaders on this critical issue.
Coalition for a Better Future co-chair Anne McLellan pictured at the University of Alberta Campus Tour.
This sentiment is echoed in the results of a recent Nanos Research survey commissioned by the Coalition, which found that only about one-third of Canadians believe we are heading in the right direction on key economic objectives. While there has been slight improvement over the past year, a plurality still feels we’re failing to implement policies that deliver higher living standards.
This is cause for concern. When governments fail to address persistent, long-term challenges, public trust in institutions begins to erode. Without tangible success, Canadians may lose patience with, or enthusiasm for, policies promoting growth. Worse, they may question whether “growth” serves their best interests at all.
Through our #GrowthForAllCdns campaign, we’ve seen firsthand that for many, growth feels distant — an abstract concept confined to boardrooms and political speeches but disconnected from daily life. The feedback we received underscores the need to show Canadians how pro-growth policies lead to rising incomes, better services and a cleaner economy. Growth generates the resources necessary to reduce poverty, create opportunity, improve healthcare and build a sustainable future. It is profoundly personal for all of us.
These are real, everyday challenges. In the Nanos poll, Canadians identified healthcare and housing as their top spending priorities. Growth provides the resources to address these pressing needs.
Since the Coalition’s inception in August 2021, just before the last federal election, our mission has been to ignite a national conversation about securing Canada’s quality of life and standard of living. Yet, that election didn’t deliver the informed debate we had hoped for on inclusive and sustained growth. With another federal election on the horizon, the stakes are even higher. Output per capita is declining, labour productivity has worsened and many Canadians — particularly young people, immigrants and racialized communities — are struggling more than ever. Meanwhile, our efforts to decarbonize the economy are faltering, and rising global uncertainties, including the new Trump administration in the United States, underscore the urgent need for Canada to become more productive.
Canadians deserve a meaningful debate about where growth will come from and how it can improve living standards for everyone — not just a select few. It is imperative that all political parties present concrete ideas to lift us out of economic stagnation.
The insights from our #GrowthForAllCdns campaign show that Canadians care deeply about these issues. Through their responses, they have expressed a shared belief that growth is not just about economic indicators. It’s about creating a nation where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It’s about ensuring our children and grandchildren inherit a prosperous, resilient and fair society. It’s why urgent action is needed to compete globally, grow sustainably and improve lives.
Together, we can build the prosperous future Canadians deserve.
Canada's economic challenge captures the shared belief among Canadians that growth is not just about economic indicators. It’s about creating a nation where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It’s about ensuring our children and grandchildren inherit a prosperous, resilient, and fair society. It’s why urgent action is needed to compete globally, grow sustainably, and improve lives.
