Council of Canadian Innovators | Conseil canadien des innovateurs reposted this
Over the past few months, nearly every conversation I've had has been drenched in pessimism. We’re grappling with the national productivity crisis flagged by Bank of Canada Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers. She says it’s an emergency, and it’s time to break the glass. We’re digesting the OECD forecast that pegs Canada for the slowest growth among advanced economies in the coming decades. We’re still debating capital gains, with many entrepreneurs questioning how the federal government became so out of touch with the challenges of scaling a business in 2024. Canadians across all sectors are feeling the sting of a stagnant economy. Housing is wildly unaffordable, food costs are soaring, and political leaders are stuck in 20th-century policy “solutions.” I know I'm often seen as the skunk at the garden party on Canada's innovation record because I'm not shy to share feedback on how governments across Canada are doing when it comes to commercialization and supporting homegrown companies working hard to scale-up globally. But here’s the thing: despite the current gloom, I’m bullish on Canada’s future. Our country is a breeding ground for brilliant and inspiring entrepreneurs. You know them, I know them, and the world knows them, too. Every day, someone launches a new venture with a fresh idea and boundless ambition, and year after year, some of these startups hit their stride and enter a high-growth phase. Many of these companies go on to join us at the Council of Canadian Innovators | Conseil canadien des innovateurs, linking arms with fellow scale-ups to succeed globally. At CCI, we’re driven by a fundamental belief that Canada’s potential is vast, and that belief is reaffirmed daily when I speak with founders and tech workers building innovative solutions that will change the world. Yet Canadian policy and institutions — the structural backbone of our economy — need to step up. Our politicians must better grasp the 21st-century digital economy and the economic strategies that drive success with intangible assets and innovative ideas. Reorienting Canada's economic thinking towards the intangible economy and building the policy capacity to succeed in the modern world is why CCI exists. Everything we do - including our advocacy, this newsletter, our upcoming Innovation Governance Summit on July 18 in Toronto, and our Mooseworks pieces that drill deep into the policy issues that can make Canada a more supportive place for scale-ups - we do them to build Canadian capacity. This Canada Day, I’m proud of our collective work towards a more prosperous country. As a reader and follower of our work, thank you for being here for the journey and supporting the ecosystem in the ways you do. Innovation builds a nation, and together, we can keep working to make this country better. Happy Canada Day, and keep innovating.
Benjamin Bergen...wonderful post! The future of innovation and entrepreneurship in developing Caribbean nation states is currently at a crisis even amidst the recent initiatives. I fear that some of these initiatives may not be sustainable and will require a deeper dive into our current education system and practices
Waleed Abdou
2w
Great initiative
Well said!
PeaceLovingVeteran.DealMaker.WarriorForBetter #SolveForHuman Mission driven leader and deal maker with a knack for positioning, presence, and connecting. Mamma to a pop star and an engineer
2wEverything is possible. WITH a bold collaborative execution of strategy. We CAN. Awakening citizen’s political apathy is a start. Thank you for everyone vocalizing their thoughts, sharing them with their MPS, opposition party leaders, the media, their circles - leading on socials. Your expert voices need to be heard & multiplied We have brilliant Canadians who love our country - so much to love - and time to change. The City of Boston went from broke to one of America’s most vibrant innovation hubs in just 10 years - because they DECIDED collaboratively they wanted to. They shifted gears, gave their grads a reason to stay, attracted investment and leveraged their strategic strengths across political, academic, technology and business leadership. We have the tools & I’m sure Ottawa is up for a City leading challenge - Mark Sutcliffe, Sonya Shorey Jennifer Stewart Sueling Ching Veronica Farmer (Executive MBA) Kelly Daize Patrick White When we sit by quietly, we get what we get. Those governing NEED broad and deep insights - and active nudges. It’s not good enough for political insiders, with few understanding /championing the future economy, technologies and business, to be left alone with the enormous challenges ahead.