Better tools for better work

Our case for change

People should not have to work longer just to stand still. Better tools, skills and ways of doing things can help each hour go further. Canada should make it easier to build useful firms and make sure the gains reach workers, customers and public services.

Canada fell behind this comparison

An OECD study tracks real investment for each worker from 2014 to 2023. With 2014 set to 100, Canada ends at 85.4. The United States ends at 121.2. Prices are taken out of this comparison. Canada’s amount fell while the US amount rose. This is a dated view of growth, not a ranking of today’s dollar amounts.

[1]

More spending is not the whole goal

This measure counts total investment, including homes and government work. It does not count only business tools. The start year was near a peak in resource investment. The end of that boom explains part of the drop. We should not treat the whole fall as proof of bad rules, or argue for any project just to lift this line.

[1]

Give each hour a better chance

The Bank of Canada explains that the right tools and training help people produce more with the same effort. That can make room for better pay without the same pressure on prices. Think of a team that can finish a job with less waste. The aim is useful output and a better life, not speed at any cost.

[2]

Let useful firms start and grow

Open markets to new firms and good tools from abroad. Give sound projects a clear path and a real clock for decisions. Let small firms bid for public work. When a public plan backs a business, publish the bill and results. Keep access open, set an end date, and stop support that fails. Count cleanup and other costs before calling a project a win.

The strongest challenge to our case

Investment can be wasteful. A big cheque or a high GDP number does not prove that a project helps people. We need fair competition, good working conditions and full costs, as well as useful new tools.

What we want changed

Let new firms compete
Remove rules that block safe tools, new firms or trade across Canada.
Set clear clocks
Publish full decision clocks and the reasons for a delayed yes or no.
Count public results
Judge business support by results and show who gets it.

Who can act

Federal, provincial and local officials can open markets and fix permit delays. Finance ministers can set clear terms for public aid.

What this could cost the public

No new grant or spending total is proposed. Rule changes and reporting still have admin costs; these have not been costed nationally. Any new public works, grants or guarantees need a separate costed proposal.

Explore the data behind the case

Each chart has its own dates, sources and limits. Open it to see the full data and download the figures.