Bridging divides to create economic prosperity

Presenters discuss fostering collaboration across sectors and with governments to improve Canada’s economy.
Left to right: Michael Serapio, Host, PrimeTime Politics on CPAC; Lisa Stilborn, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Canadian Fuels Association; Shamira Madhany, Managing Director Canada and Deputy Executive Director, World Education Services.
PHOTO: MELANIE SHIELDS

Canada’s economic future hinges on greater collaboration across industries, regions, and communities. That was the message delivered by a panel of industry leaders in response to the Scorecard report from the Coalition for a Better Future.

Building economic strength and resilience across industries and regions “requires a whole lot more collaboration,” said Lisa Stilborn, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Canadian Fuels Association, adding this is doable because it’s something that’s in Canada’s DNA.

“The only way to unlock the type of investment to meet the challenges that we’re facing at the moment is to bring the east and the west together, rural and urban communities, governments, industry [and] Indigenous communities, together.”

Stilborn pointed to biofuel production as an example of this collaborative potential, citing how the transportation-fuels industry works with the agricultural and forestry sectors, which helps develop supply chains and has created 10,000 jobs.

“That’s just the beginning of the opportunities,” Stilborn said. “With the right policy framework, I really think we can unlock many, many more jobs.”

Stillborn noted that the CFA also works with Careers in Energy, a federal government program that matches employees with jobs in the sector and estimates that 40,000 jobs will be created in the energy sector by 2035.

“The only way to unlock the type of investment to meet the challenges that we’re facing at the moment is to bring the east and the west together, rural and urban communities, governments, industry [and] Indigenous communities, together.”

Lisa Stilborn, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Canadian Fuels Association
Photo: Melanie Shields

Todd Klink, Executive Vice-President of Marketing and Public Affairs at Farm Credit Canada, echoed the message. He said the agriculture and agri-food sector is based on collaboration with sectors such as energy, technology, and finance, and today, it has a “generational opportunity” to address the challenges of a changing climate, human health, food security, and economic growth.

“One in every nine Canadian jobs is connected to this sector, and it has a tremendous impact on our GDP. But we don’t always think about it that way as Canadians and consumers,” he said.

Klink added that the agriculture sector needs to “build bridges to Canadians” to change perceptions, attract talent and help Canadians see the opportunities the industry offers.

“We need folks to build careers in all aspects of [the sector], whether it’s data scientists, AI developers, chemists, biologists…and even in traditional roles: accounting, agronomists, sales professionals, etc.,” he said.

Shamira Madhany, managing director for Canada and deputy executive director at World Education Services, brought another dimension to workforce development into focus. She says the country could boost its GDP by making better use of the skills immigrants bring to Canada.

“Research is showing that bringing immigrants to parity with Canadian-born workers could add $50 billion to GDP,” said Madhany. “Think about that waste if we don't actually take immigrants and immigrant talent, and leverage the talent for what's happening in the labour market with the impact of what Trump is doing.”

Madhany emphasized that the skills immigrants bring in are needed more than ever, with half a million baby boomers retiring each year and Canada’s population growth increasingly driven by immigration.

“By 2030, our population growth is expected to be fully fueled by immigration,” said Madhany. “And yet we have one in three immigrants who are working in jobs that don’t make use of their prior skills and experience. And almost 50 per cent of internationally educated health professionals are underemployed, such as trained nurses working as personal support workers.”

**“Think about that waste if we don't actually take immigrants and immigrant talent, and leverage the talent for what's happening in the labour market with the impact of what Trump is doing.”**

Shamira Madhany, Managing Director Canada and Deputy Executive Director, World Education Services
Photo: Melanie Shields

Madhany urged governments to collaborate on credential recognition to address this problem, saying elected leaders should take a whole-of-government approach to solving it.

“So this is about employers, post-secondary institutions, licensing bodies, etc. cooperating instead of working in silos,” she said.

“We need to sit around the table and have a joint conversation, and we need immigrant voices [at the table]. They are the ones who are being impacted.”

All three panelists underscored a common theme: collaboration isn’t optional—it’s essential. Whether by connecting regions, sectors, or people, Canada’s prosperity will depend on building bridges rather than barriers.

Voter division and political uncertainties may stall Carney’s ambitions, say panelists at Scorecard reporting event

Investment, infrastructure, and innovation key to improving Canada’s economic resilience, say economic experts