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This is part 2 of my conversation on all things manufacturing and industrialization with Alex Greco, Senior Director of Manufacturing and Value Chains at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Manufacturing's future in Canada hinges not on machines but on people. The sector faces what Alex describes as a "skills mismatch" rather than just a labor shortage. While companies struggle to find workers, the real challenge lies in finding people with the right skills in data analysis, cybersecurity, electronics, and robotics that modern manufacturing demands.

Solving this requires a multi-faceted approach, says Alex and includes developing programs directly linked to industry needs, creating ongoing learning and reskilling initiatives for current workers, expanding STEM and trades education in schools, and aligning immigration policies to bring in high-demand skilled workers. A national workforce strategy emerges as the critical missing piece—one that introduces manufacturing to students early, streamlines credential recognition, and creates clear career pathways into the sector.

Alex also points to the power of government procurement and how it represents a powerful yet underutilized tool for building manufacturing resilience. With federal spending around $20 billion annually, shifting from low-cost to strategic purchasing could drive demand for domestic innovation. Reforming the RFP process to incentivize local content and partnerships with Canadian companies would give manufacturers the runway they need to scale new technologies. 

As Greco puts it, "Every dollar spent by government is a vote for the kind of economy we want." This philosophy extends to addressing forced labor in supply chains and building defense manufacturing capabilities to meet Canada's ambitious NATO commitments. 

The path forward requires coherence and urgency—building not just for trade, but for Canada's economic future across all provinces and territories.

Quick heads up, this episode was recorded on August 6, 2025 so while the news may have changed since this conversation was recorded the thoughts and ideas still remain relevant.

Check out the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Work:

What a ‘patent box’ is and why it can help solve Canada’s productivity problem - The Globe and Mail

Q&A: Curing Our Productivity Paralysis Will Require Incentives, Innovation and IP - Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Canada’s next move starts a few thousand feet below the ground - The Hill

Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker - Business Data Lab

How to Undermine U.S. Manufacturing: Debunking Aluminum Tariff Myths - Business Data Lab

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Canada’s manufacturing sector stands at a pivotal crossroads. With U.S. protectionist trade policies sending shockwaves through global markets, supply chains, and the manufacturing industry, the golden age of free trade and globalization is behind us. In its place is a new era where national resilience and strategic autonomy take precedence—one that demands a complete reimagining of Canada’s industrial strategy.

Joining me in this episode to unpack the challenges and innovations shaping Canada’s manufacturing sector is Alex Greco, Senior Director of Manufacturing and Value Chains at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his career, Alex has been a leading advocate for manufacturers across the country, helping to strengthen value chains in sectors like mechatronics, aerospace, and defence. From advanced manufacturing to public policy, Alex has been a key voice for the manufacturing industry at the decision-making table. 

Alex helps bust the myth that Canadian manufacturing is stuck in the past. Forget the dusty factory floors and ‘80s-era assembly lines—today’s manufacturing facilities are powered by smart sensors, AI-driven robotics, and digital twins that predict maintenance before problems even start. This is the cutting edge of making things in Canada—and it’s a future that needs smart policy and public buy-in to thrive.

Alex highlights regulatory harmonization across provinces as a major challenge. He explains  that in Canada, manufacturers can face approval processes that take up to two years—compared to just 60 days in competing U.S. jurisdictions. If we want to foster innovation and attract investment, we need to break down these regulatory roadblocks and build manufacturing ecosystems that can thrive in the digital age.

Securing our industrial future means investing in strategic sectors like digital manufacturing, biotech, clean energy, and advanced materials, while preparing our workforce for the technological transformation already underway.

Don’t go too far—my conversation with Alex Greco on the future of Canadian manufacturing continues in Part 2.

Check out the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Work:

What a ‘patent box’ is and why it can help solve Canada’s productivity problem - The Globe and Mail

Q&A: Curing Our Productivity Paralysis Will Require Incentives, Innovation and IP - Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Canada’s next move starts a few thousand feet below the ground - The Hill

Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker - Business Data Lab

How to Undermine U.S. Manufacturing: Debunking Aluminum Tariff Myths - Business Data Lab

Quick heads up, this episode was recorded on August 6, 2025 so while the news may have changed since this conversation was recorded the thoughts and ideas still remain relevant. 

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Hunger doesn't discriminate, but our systems often do. In 2024, Statistics Canada reported that 10 million Canadians — including 2.5 million children — lived in households that couldn’t reliably afford food. That’s families skipping meals, parents making impossible choices, and children going to school hungry in one of the world's wealthiest nations.

And while food insecurity touches every province, it cuts even deeper in the territories. In Nunavut, nearly half the population struggles with access to food. In the Northwest Territories and Yukon, it's more than 1 in 5. These numbers don’t just tell us who’s missing meals — they tell us who’s being left behind economically.

Because food insecurity isn't just about food. It’s a red flag for deeper financial distress — households choosing between rent, medication, heat, or a week of groceries. It’s a symptom of poverty — and a signal for policy failure.

Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, Director of Policy and Community Action for Community Food Centres Canada, joins us to challenge conventional wisdom about hunger and food insecurity in Canada. With passion and precision, she dismantles the myth that food insecurity is simply about food. "Food insecurity is not a food problem," she explains, "it's an income problem." This critical distinction shapes everything about how we should respond to this growing crisis.

The conversation takes us beyond emergency food relief to examine the structural forces creating hunger: stagnant wages, skyrocketing living costs, and inadequate social support systems that effectively "legislate poverty." We explore how traditional approaches like food banks, while necessary, cannot solve the underlying issues alone. Instead, Ramsey-Razai presents a compelling case for policy solutions like a new Groceries and Essentials Benefit, $150 per adult, $50 per child, that would provide direct financial support to 9 million struggling Canadians.

Perhaps most powerful is her framing of food security as fundamental to democracy itself. "Rising inequality, rising poverty, and rising food insecurity does and will undermine democracy," she warns. By connecting hunger to our broader social contract, she reveals how addressing food insecurity isn't just about feeding people – it's about the kind of society we want to build.

Whether you're concerned about poverty, inequality, or the future of our democratic institutions, this episode offers both sobering insights and practical pathways forward. Listen now to understand why hunger persists in Canada and what meaningful solutions might look like.

Check out Jasmine Ramze Rezaee and Community Food Centres Canada’s policy recommendations here:

https://act.beyondhunger.ca/page/66634/action/1 

What good are human rights if you’re always hungry? We need a new benefit for groceries and essentials: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/what-good-are-human-rights-if-youre-always-hungry-we-need-a-new-benefit-for/article_0c7c92e8-b3fc-11ef-b2ca-0f7c0e42a2db.html 

Food insecurity sources: https://proof.utoronto.ca/food-insecurity/ 

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Tariff threats, labor shortages, and political uncertainty are creating unprecedented challenges for Canadian manufacturers. Matt Conley, Manager of International Trade and Skills Policy at Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), provides a powerful perspective on navigating these turbulent waters while building resilience in Canada's manufacturing sector.

What once seemed settled — the free trade relationship between Canada, the US, and Mexico — has been thrown into question. As Conley notes, "You should always expect the unexpected in politics." Despite these challenges, he emphasizes that the USMCA agreement has generated billions in prosperity across all three countries, creating countless jobs and making products more affordable for consumers. The solution isn't walking away from the negotiating table but continuing crucial discussions that benefit manufacturing sectors across North America.

For small and medium-sized Canadian manufacturers, specific supports are essential for global competitiveness. CME's blueprint "Securing Canada's Economic Future" outlines 17 proposals to strengthen the sector, from reducing redundant paperwork to improving tax competitiveness through investment incentives for new equipment and technology. With an aging workforce approaching retirement, addressing labor shortages requires both domestic training initiatives and streamlined immigration processes. Currently, disconnects between labor market assessments and immigration components create unnecessary administrative burdens that disproportionately impact smaller manufacturers.

See the blueprint here: https://cme-mec.ca/initiatives/blueprint-to-strengthen-canadian-manufacturing/ 

Perhaps most critically, Matt suggests that Canadian productivity lags due to internal trade barriers between provinces. Different truck weight regulations and duplicative permitting requirements force manufacturers to navigate multiple regulatory environments within their own country – so much so that some businesses have historically routed products through the US to avoid these interprovincial obstacles. With new tariffs making this workaround unfeasible, addressing these internal barriers has become even more urgent.

Conley's message to the federal government is clear: "You have a fantastic manufacturing sector in Canada with some of the smartest, most capable people willing to work hard and find solutions. Just give them the tools they need." By reducing red tape, eliminating internal trade barriers, and accelerating infrastructure projects, Canada can unleash world-class products across global markets. 

Quick Heads up: this episode was recorded on June 6, 2025, so while the news may have changed since this conversation was recorded that thought and ideas still remain relevant. 

Subscribe to hear more conversations on how policy decisions impact Canadian industry and what's being done to create economic resilience in uncertain times.

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Trade wars have real consequences, and right now Canada's manufacturing sector is absorbing the shock of escalating US tariffs firsthand. When steel and aluminum tariffs jumped from 25% to 50%, they didn't just change numbers on paper – they fundamentally altered the landscape for thousands of businesses and workers across the country.

Matt Conley, Manager of International Trade and Skills policy at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), takes us inside the industry's fight to navigate this uncertain terrain. The data paints a sobering picture: manufacturing has shed 55,000 jobs since February, merchandise exports plummeted 10.8% in April (the largest drop in nearly 17 years outside the pandemic), and investment decisions are frozen as businesses struggle to plan amid unpredictable border conditions.

What makes this situation particularly challenging is the deeply integrated nature of North American supply chains. That iconic "Canadian" product you love might contain components from both sides of the border – meaning tariffs don't just hurt exports, they can also increase production costs. This interconnectedness is precisely why CME led a delegation to Washington DC for 23 meetings with lawmakers from both parties, in both the Houe of Representatives and the Senate, advocating for a North American approach rather than tribalistic trade policies.

The conversation expands beyond immediate challenges to explore potential solutions: the renewed push for "Made in Canada" manufacturing, provincial premiers coming together to dismantle internal trade barriers, and the possibilities and practical limitations of market diversification beyond the US. Throughout these discussions runs a common thread – the remarkable resilience of Canadian manufacturers who continue to adapt and innovate despite unprecedented headwinds.

Whether you're directly connected to manufacturing or simply concerned about Canada's economic future, this episode offers crucial insights into how trade tensions are reshaping our industrial landscape and what it means for all Canadians. 

Quick Heads up: this episode was recorded on June 6, 2025, so while the news may have changed since this conversation was recorded that thought and ideas still remain relevant. 

Share your thoughts on the importance of stable trade relationships and manufacturing's role in our economy!

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Welcome back to Let’s Talk Politics! This is Part 2 of my conversation with economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work, Jim Stanford. In this episode, Stanford brings clarity to contentious economic debates and issues — from wealth inequality and corporate power to the misleading narratives that shape our political discourse. It’s a candid, eye-opening discussion you won’t want to miss.

Born and raised in Alberta, Stanford dismantles the province's separatist rhetoric with insider precision, revealing how record-breaking oil industry profits have failed to improve life for average Albertans. "Real wages have fallen. They're lower than they were 10 years ago," he explains, pointing to deliberate policy choices—frozen minimum wages, anti-union labor laws, and corporate tax cuts—that prevent prosperity from reaching working people. Rather than blaming Ottawa, Stanford argues Albertans should scrutinize their provincial leaders and corporate executives who benefit from this arrangement while promoting divisive nationalism as a distraction.

The conversation shifts to inflation's true drivers, challenging the conventional thought that workers' wages fuel inflation. Stanford explains that record corporate profits—not labor costs—correlated with inflation's rise and fall during the pandemic recovery. "Unit labor costs had no correlation to it whatsoever," he notes, explaining how unique post-pandemic conditions created opportunities for companies to exploit disrupted supply chains and commodity shortages.

Stanford also addresses recurring anxieties about AI and technology eliminating jobs, having witnessed similar panics throughout his career. "We've never experienced what I would call mass technological unemployment," he observes, explaining that while AI will transform work, the greater threats come from changing employment relationships rather than technology itself. His human-centered economic perspective provides a refreshing alternative to abstract metrics and theoretical models disconnected from lived reality.

Challenge your economic assumptions and gain a clearer understanding of the forces shaping our economy by listening to this thought-provoking episode. 

Share your thoughts with us and subscribe for more insightful conversations that connect complex economic issues to everyday lives.

Quick heads up this episode was recorded on June 9, 2025 so while the news may have changed since this conversation was recorded. The thoughts and ideas still remain relevant. 

Check out some of Jim Stanford's work here:

Let’s drop the phoney Alberta versus Canada nonsense. The province has met the enemy — and it is them 

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Canada at a Crossroads: Jim Stanford on Tariffs, Recession Risk, and Rethinking Economics

What happens when a leading economist breaks down the storm clouds gathering over Canada’s economy? Jim Stanford, Director of the Centre for Future Work, delivers a compelling analysis of how looming U.S. tariffs could trigger a recession on par with the downturns of the 1980s and ’90s.

Stanford argues we’re living through “a hinge point in history”—a moment demanding a shift in economic thinking. He outlines how Trump’s threatened tariffs could damage Canada through multiple channels: collapsing exports, frozen investments, jittery consumers, and a slowing global economy. Even if the threats vanish tomorrow, Stanford warns the uncertainty has already done real harm.

But this isn’t just doom and gloom.

Stanford pushes back against overblown claims that interprovincial trade barriers are costing the economy hundreds of billions, calling them political theater. The real story? Most barriers are minor—things like alcohol regulations and licensing rules—not massive economic roadblocks.

And here’s the twist: 80% of Canada’s GDP is created and consumed within our borders. That domestic strength, Stanford says, offers critical resilience. He makes the case for strategic industrial policy, crediting government involvement for successes in auto, aerospace, telecom—and even the oil sands.

If you're looking for a fresh, unfiltered take on Canada’s economic future—one that’s honest about the risks but clear-eyed about the opportunities—this episode is for you.

Tune in now to understand what’s really at stake, and how Canada can chart a smarter, more resilient path forward.

Quick heads up this episode was recorded on June 9, 2025 so while the news may have changed since this conversation was recorded. The thoughts and ideas still remain relevant. 

Check out some of Jim Stanford's work here:

Here’s why we will survive Donald Trump’s tariffs — the answer is right in front of us`

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​​The transformation of Toronto's waterfront represents a microcosm of urban challenges and opportunities facing major cities across North America. Tim Kocur, Executive Director of the Waterfront BIA, takes us deep into how this iconic area is evolving while tackling some of the most pressing urban issues of our time.

Toronto stands at a crossroads of urban development. With housing prices soaring to globally significant levels and condos shrinking to "shoebox" proportions, families face difficult choices about city living. Kocur offers a refreshingly candid perspective on where urban housing must go: "We're very clearly only at the beginning of a generational or almost revolutionary shift in thinking about how people live in cities." He challenges traditional North American expectations around single-family homes and suggests density—when thoughtfully designed—can create highly livable communities, pointing to international cities like Seoul where apartment living is normalized across all socioeconomic levels.

Beyond housing, the conversation tackles the painful reality of homelessness and public safety—issues that affect not just resident quality of life but visitor perceptions and business viability. The Waterfront BIA collaborates with five other downtown BIAs to advocate for comprehensive solutions that go beyond band aid fixes to tackle issues of homelessness, crime and public drug use. Kocur addresses the funding challenges municipalities face, contextualizing recent tax increases within Toronto's decade of below-inflation tax adjustments and making a compelling case for how downtown Toronto's success drives national prosperity.

Despite these challenges, Toronto's waterfront buzzes with so much vibrancy and energy. From the Tall Ships Festival at Sugar Beach to expanded bike-sharing programs connecting to the Toronto Islands, the waterfront strikes a thoughtful balance between practical urban planning, community engagement, and vibrant tourist appeal. Kocur's vision demonstrates how urban waterfront spaces can serve as laboratories for the future of city living—places where density, sustainability, and livability converge to create communities that work for everyone.

Ready to experience Toronto's waterfront transformation firsthand? Follow the Waterfront BIA on social media to discover the latest events and activities that are reshaping this dynamic neighborhood. 

Learn more about the Waterfront BIA here:

Waterfront BIA

Check out the Toronto Board of Trade report published with the Waterfront BIA:

Ripple Effect: Unlocking Toronto’s Waterfront Potential 

Check out the Toronto Waterfront Festival Happening June 28-29, 2025 details here:

Toronto Waterfront Festival 

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Toronto's shoreline holds untapped potential that could transform the city's global standing. Tim Kocur, Executive Director of the Waterfront BIA, reveals that what we see today represents only half of what's possible for the 10-kilometer stretch connecting Exhibition Place through the central harbor to the developing Port Lands.

Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) occupy a unique space in urban development—technically agencies of the city but independently funded and operated by local businesses. The Waterfront BIA raises $2.5 million annually to support everything from social media promotion and street cleaning to major public space improvements, community events, and policy advocacy. 

What stands out in Kocur's approach is the BIA's role as the glue between major waterfront stakeholders. With Harbourfront Centre, Waterfront Toronto, Exhibition Place, the Toronto Islands, and Port Toronto all operating independently, coordination becomes essential. "We're the eighth largest waterfront stakeholder," Kocur explains, positioning the BIA as the glue binding these separate visions into something cohesive.

Perhaps most surprising is Toronto's standing as the ninth-best city globally in benchmarks measuring arts, culture, quality of life, and urban experience. Drawing inspiration from waterfronts around the world—from Baltimore and San Antonio to Cape Town’s Victoria & Albert development—the BIA focuses on identifying gaps and crafting creative solutions. 

One of their latest projects included a wayfinding signage program that solved a persistent problem where visitors struggled to locate major attractions despite being only blocks away. Their Waterfront Reconnect initiative is transforming forbidding highway underpasses into vibrant, illuminated gateways to the shore.

Ready to experience Toronto's waterfront transformation firsthand? Follow the Waterfront BIA on social media to discover the latest events and activities that are reshaping this dynamic neighborhood. 

Don’t go too far! Tim’s back for Part Two, where we dive into some of the most pressing issues facing Toronto—from affordable housing and homelessness to exciting new developments like a hovercraft service connecting Toronto to Niagara. Tune in to hear how Toronto’s waterfront is transforming into a world-class destination.

Learn more about the Waterfront BIA here:

Waterfront BIA

Check out the Toronto Board of Trade report published with the Waterfront BIA:

Ripple Effect: Unlocking Toronto’s Waterfront Potential 

Check out the Toronto Waterfront Festival Happening June 28-29, 2025 details here:

Toronto Waterfront Festival 

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Money talks, and what it's saying about gender equality in Canada isn't pretty. We've left  $180 billion of GDP growth on the table by failing to ensure women's full participation in our economy. That's not just a moral failing—it's economic malpractice.

Joining us once again to break it all down is Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab — and what she uncovered is nothing short of sobering. At our current pace, we won't see gender equality in our lifetimes, our daughters' lifetimes, or even our granddaughters' lifetimes. Canada ranks among the worst developed nations for pay equity, with women earning just 87 cents for every dollar earned by men—and even less for women of color.

The barriers are systemic and deeply entrenched. While male-dominated industries like manufacturing, resource extraction, and construction are making progress, they’re still far from being truly welcoming environments for women to enter and thrive. Women entrepreneurs face steeper challenges accessing capital, especially in the Prairies and Atlantic provinces, where support ecosystems are thinner and traditional industries dominate. And while we talk about diversity and inclusion, too often it remains performative rather than transformative.

Real accountability means embedding equity goals into how organizations evaluate power, performance, and progress. Marwa suggests, this means linking diversity targets to executive compensation, establishing representation goals that reflect talent pool demographics rather than maintaining the status quo, and implementing rigorous audit systems. We need to move beyond training sessions and toward structural change that recognizes women's economic participation isn't optional—it's essential.

For young women considering entrepreneurship, Marwa’s message is clear: "You belong here, even if it doesn't feel like it yet. The business world perhaps wasn't built with you in mind, but that doesn't mean you can't build something extraordinary within it." Start messy, start small, but start—and demand not just inclusion, but the opportunity to lead and transform.

Listen now to explore how accelerating gender equality isn't just about doing what's right—it's about building the resilient, innovative economy Canada needs.

Check out Marwa Abdou’s work here: 

Barely Breaking Ground: The Slow Stride of Progress for Women in Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship: https://businessdatalab.ca/publications/barely-breaking-ground/

Women Entrepreneurs: Canada’s Biggest Missed Business Opportunity: https://businessdatalab.ca/publications/women-entrepreneurs-canadas-biggest-missed-business-opportunity/