Ambition and Action offers a policy road map aimed at strengthening Canadian industries, expanding high-growth sectors and embracing Canada’s energy advantage.

“For far too long, we have lacked ambition and a long-term vision for our prosperity,” the report says. “We can no longer afford that level of comfort and complacency.”

The two-part plan outlines practical steps leaders should take to mitigate immediate economic risks while positioning the country for sustained long-term prosperity.

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The Mexico-Canada Business Dialogue establishes a formal relationship between CEOs from Mexico and Canada, who will engage periodically to identify common challenges and develop strategies that promote economic growth and development in both countries. 

During the meeting, which was also attended by the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, the conversation focused on the strategic sectors that are key pillars in the bilateral relationship: energy, manufacturing, financial services, mining, transport and agribusiness. Delegates also discussed common challenges facing Mexico and Canada, including supply chains, free trade and regional competitiveness. 

The Mexican private sector was led by the President of the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial, Francisco Cervantes. Delegates included representatives of the Mexican Business Council, Kimberly-Clark de México, Grupo Carso, Grupo Kaluz, Aeroméxico, Ternium, Grupo Bimbo, Kansas City Southern de México, Alpha, Arca Continental, Vitro, Prodensa, BIVA, Tenaris and Rassini. 

The Canadian delegation, led by the President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, Goldy Hyder, included representatives from CN, Scotiabank, Linamar, Martinrea International Inc., Palliser Furniture, TC Energy, Teck Resources, WestJet and Nutrien. 

In the context of recent political changes in North America, the representatives of both countries agreed that it is essential to prioritize dialogue, avoid trade tensions and work together on constructive solutions that promote free trade and help position North America as one of the most competitive and prosperous regions in the world. 

In this regard, the importance of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) was recognized as the basis for the economic integration of these nations, while providing stability, promoting strategic value chains and boosting investments and sustainable growth. 

Currently, Canada is Mexico’s third-largest trading partner. During 2024, bilateral trade amounted to more than $30 billion (USD). For this reason, the private sector representatives of both countries agreed to continue working closely on shared priorities. 

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“Our country stands at a pivotal moment, with challenges that also present great opportunities. Now is the time for leaders across the public and private sectors to work together to unlock Canada’s full potential,” said Robinson. “Members of the BCC  provide millions of high-paying jobs to Canadian workers and inject billions of dollars into the economy. When we collaborate there is much we can do as a country to strengthen our economic position on the world stage.” 

Ms. Robinson succeeds Victor Dodig, President and CEO of CIBC. A champion for Canada, Mr. Dodig has often said our country feeds, fuels and finances the world. As chair he put that vision into practice, overseeing the expansion of the Council’s footprint to include representatives in the United States, the Indo-Pacific, Mexico and the EU.   

“Thanks to Victor’s leadership, Canada has a stronger voice around the world. That voice is more important now than ever,” said Goldy Hyder, BCC’s president and CEO. “I look forward to working with Tracy as the BCC stands up for Canada and Canadian jobs.”  

Biographical notes for Tracy Robinson are available here. 

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The Canada-U.S. Trade Council (CUSTC) includes participants from a variety of sectors (steel, aluminium, forest products, oil and gas, agri-food, dairy, chemistry, banking, as well as broader industry groups such as the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters) and leading labour organizations. Membership is growing rapidly as the inauguration of the new U.S. administration draws nearer.   

The Steering Committee of the CUSTC will be led initially by the CEOs of the Aluminium Association of Canada and the Canadian Steel Producers Association. The group will convene regular meetings to share information and ideas for how best to approach the tariff discussions and the subsequent CUSMA review phase. The group is not a lobbying or an advocacy organization but will focus instead on sharing information and ensuring an ongoing conversation, including with key government officials who have responsibilities on these files.

“By bringing together, from across Canada, industry, unions and experts, the Council provides a dynamic and timely platform to freely address issues, strategies, and opportunities with Government officials. This crisis is worth all our efforts, and we must seize the moment to grow Canada stronger within a safer, more secure, and competitive business environment for our future. Co-chairing this initiative with my colleague from the steel industry is a privilege.” – Jean Simard, President and CEO, Aluminium Association of Canada.

“At this moment in time, it is crucial that the Canadian business and labour communities come together to reimagine our future with our most important trading partner, the United States. I am very honoured to co-Chair this Council that convenes some of the strongest voices in the country to support Canada’s interests and opportunities through the journey ahead.”- Catherine Cobden, President & CEO, Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA)

“As an international union, we know that workers on both sides of the border understand the economic importance of a strong Canada-U.S. trade partnership for their families and communities. All workers are counting on all of us to protect good jobs and provide job security through a strong trade partnership while standing up for our key industries.” – Marty Warren, National Director, United Steelworkers.

“Given the very seriousness of this moment and the existential threat to Canadian jobs and our economy, we see it’s important for Canadians to pull together and work together during these difficult times. We must put workers and the country first.” – Lana Payne, National President, Unifor.

The CUSTC will draw on a group of expert advisors who have agreed to serve as counsellors, including Steve Verheul, James Moore, Jean Charest, Laura Dawson, RJ Johnston, and Adam Taylor. Together these individuals have extensive experience in Canada-U.S. trade relations.

Canadian and provincial government officials will be invited to participate on a recurring basis to share knowledge, update on current developments, and gather input from participants. Ambassador Kirsten Hillman participated in the kick-off meeting of the CUSTC and said:

“With $1.3 trillion in goods and services crossing our shared border every year, Canada is America’s biggest customer. Trade with Canada plays an important role in U.S. economic security and supports millions of American jobs. Business and labour leadership are essential as we work to find ways to strengthen our strategic partnership with the U.S. and I look forward to working alongside the Canada-U.S. Trade Council at this important time.”

Organizations interested in participating in this council are encouraged to contact Bruce Anderson, Partner at Spark Advocacy, or Adam Taylor, Partner at NorthStar Public Affairs which are jointly providing secretariat services to the CUSTC.

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During this visit, the Canadian senior executives will hold strategic meetings with President Claudia Sheinbaum, leaders of the Mexican private sector and key officials of the Federal Government, such as the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, and of Foreign Affairs, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, among others.

The main purpose of these meetings will be to promote economic and commercial cooperation between the two nations in strategic sectors such as financial services, investment, transportation, energy, automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, technology and agribusiness. These areas represent key pillars for the development of North America’s regional competitiveness in a global context of constant economic transformations.

This meeting underscores the commitment of business leaders from Mexico and Canada to bolster long-established integrated supply chains and promote reciprocal investment and economic cooperation. By consolidating efforts in strategic sectors, both countries seek to reaffirm North America’s role as one of the most dynamic and integrated economic regions in the world.

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“For five years the BCC has urged the government to adhere to a meaningful fiscal anchor to ensure Canada remains a credible and stable place for investment,” says BCC President and CEO Goldy Hyder. “By not keeping its economic promises, the federal government is sending the message that it can’t be trusted to manage the public finances.”  

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“The Government of Canada can safeguard Canadians and honour its international commitments by investing in a strong and sovereign defence industrial base,” the report contends. “By doing so strategically, it can also supercharge Canada’s broader economic security and prosperity.” 

Security & Prosperity lays out a series of policy solutions for a successful DIB Strategy in which the public and private sectors work together to achieve three strategic outcomes: 

1. Build and secure a sovereign, but internationally linked, defence industrial base that provides Canada and its allies with the capabilities needed to respond to the challenges presented by increased geopolitical confrontation; 

2. Honour Canada’s international defence obligations, including increasing industrial capacity, by investing at least two per cent of GDP on defence by 2030, 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035, and three per cent of GDP on defence thereafter; and 

3. Strengthen Canada’s broader economic security and prosperity by enhancing productivity and innovation within advanced dual-use sectors vital to the creation of high-skilled jobs, as well as the country’s long-term economic resiliency and competitiveness.  

“We are living in a serious moment, and the reality is that economic security and national security are now closely intertwined,” said Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the BCC. “The only way we will be able to invest more in defending ourselves and our allies is through an industrial policy that drives prosperity, innovation and job creation.”  

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At a time when GDP per capita has shrunk by a total of four per cent since 2022 — which is unprecedented outside a recession — the Business Council of Canada (BCC) is calling on Canadians to urge their elected officials to take control of the country’s economic destiny. 

“Last week’s disappointing GDP data further support projections that Canada’s per capita GDP growth will be dead last among OECD countries this decade,” says Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the BCC. “We can do much better, which is why we are launching a new initiative – the Can-Do campaign – to spark an attitudinal shift and push policymakers to pursue moving Canada from worst to first.” 

To encourage a healthier economy, the Can-Do campaign enables employees of large enterprises and all concerned Canadians to write to their members of parliament to urge them to work towards creating the right conditions to spur Canadian economic growth, including:  

• Championing, not criticizing, the large employers who drive Canada’s economy 
• Creating a welcoming environment for private sector innovation and R&D 
• Strengthening Canada’s energy and food security 
• Putting in place taxes and regulations that invite investment 

“Right now Canada is trapped in a vicious economic cycle – a weak economy exacerbated by weak personal and public finances,” says Hyder. “There are many things, including the U.S. election, outside of our control, so we must focus on what we can control to reverse this downward trend and create a virtuous cycle at the centre of which is a growing economy.” 

Canadians can participate in the Can-Do campaign by visiting: candocanada.ca or cestpossible.ca 

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“Engines of Growth” makes the case for putting workers at the center of a new economic agenda that is more technology driven – one that focuses on production over consumption and encourages competition at scale in technologically advanced industries. 

“The data clearly show that for the past 15 years, an unfocussed and patchwork approach to economic growth has failed to improve the economy or lead to material benefits for Canadians,” says the report’s author Robert Asselin, BCC senior vice president, policy and former advisor to two prime ministers. “We need to shift from an emphasis on subsidies and consumption to building an innovative economy that brings higher wages and better job opportunities for Canadian workers for the long term.” 

Beginning with an overview of Canada’s economic challenges and a survey of the trajectory of the global economy, the report offers a framework for igniting Canada’s engines of growth. It concludes with 17 concrete recommendations for policymakers, including a comprehensive review of the tax system, moving from low paid to high-skilled economic immigration, establishing an advanced research agency, and reforming Canada’s antiquated industry and research departments and agencies. 

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“Now that the Prime Minister has confirmed he will be attending the NATO Summit, he must demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the alliance by publicly stating the government’s intention to review and revise its defence spending plans to achieve the full two per cent by the end of this decade,” said Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the BCC. “As expressed in a letter to the Prime Minister sent last month, Canada risks diplomatic isolation if it doesn’t live up to its promises.”  

The Business Council of Canada (BCC) will be closely monitoring next week’s NATO Summit and will have team members available for interviews, including Goldy Hyder and John Dickerman, Vice President, United States who leads the BCC’s office in Washington, D.C. 

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