Mission Canada

About the project

Against the backdrop of an increasingly tumultuous geopolitical environment, Canada’s economy needs an aggressive growth plan. Mission Canada is the Public Policy Forum’s answer. This multi-year initiative will outline the critical steps Canada should take to leverage its comparative advantages, including abundant natural resources and a talented workforce, in order to drive inclusive economic growth.

This work will outline key considerations for policymakers and industry leaders by: 

Developing a framework to identify high-impact sectors to serve as engines for economic growth and creating a transparent, systematic analytical frame to explore quantitative and qualitative factors that drive growth.
Convening C-Suite executives across high-impact sectors to identify priority policies to unlock growth. Exploring key policy levers government decision-makers can push or pull to create a business environment conducive to growth in these sectors, with a focus on increasing productivity, innovation and competitiveness.
Diversifying international markets and recalibrating Canada-U.S. trade relations. Identifying tactical opportunities to enhance trans-Atlantic and trans-pacific trade.

Mission Canada will also be strengthened by thematic cross-cutting explorations, beginning with Build Big Talent — a comprehensive effort to enhance Canada’s university, college and research ecosystem, advance smart immigration policies, and develop the skilled workforce needed to achieve the country’s economic ambitions. Additionally, the project will provide a framework to address regional economic development, with PPF’s Atlantic Momentum Initiative serving as the first step, to be followed by explorations of economic opportunities in the Arctic and the North, as well as a focus on Western and Central Canada.

Taken together, Mission Canada provides the frame for PPF’s sectoral deep dives, starting with Build Big Things: A Playbook to Turbocharge Investment in Major Energy, Critical Mineral and Infrastructure Projects (produced by the Energy Future Forum), and PPF’s work on Healthy Canadians, Competitive Canada (produced by the Life Sciences Forum).

Coming soon: PPF will also examine other high-impact sectors, with agriculture at the front of the line, given its significant contributions to Canada’s economic growth potential.