Canada's Productivity Initiative: Vancouver

Canada's ability to transport goods efficiently to domestic and international markets is increasingly hindered by aging infrastructure, regulatory delays, and trade disruptions. These challenges are exacerbated by recent U.S. tariffs and a lack of long-term investment planning, which collectively constrain trade and dampen national productivity growth. 

Join business and public policy leaders in Vancouver on Monday, June 23, 2025, for a half-day event as part of a national initiative to work collaboratively with industry, government, and academia to implement  solutions addressing these long-standing issues undermining Canada’s prosperity.

Hosted at Deloitte Summit and open to the public, this session is part of Canada’s Productivity Initiative led by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy in collaboration with the Business Council of British Columbia.

The event will feature a keynote speech around the importance of trade-enabling infrastructure and a panel discussion led by prominent business leaders focusing on challenges related to Canada’s seaports, railways, highways, energy pipelines, electricity transmission lines and, other critical infrastructure. 

Why attend?

As the country’s gateway to Asia-Pacific markets, British Columbia's trade-oriented economy is heavily dependent on modern, efficient transportation infrastructure, which is a key element in improving Canada’s lacklustre productivity. Rising productivity drives a robust economy, underpins improvements in living standards, and shapes better public policy outcomes. 

Since 2015, real disposable income growth for Canadian families has been slower than any similar period other than the Great Depression or the 1990s recession. Explanations range from a lack of business innovation, underwhelming capital investment and interprovincial trade barriers, to inefficient tax and regulatory systems. 

This event will examine how the country can address the bottlenecks around infrastructure, transportation, and productivity to invigorate growth and increase living standards for Canadians. The event will conclude with a networking reception to continue the conversation. 

"Infrastructure is a cornerstone of productivity as it facilitates efficient transportation, trade and economic growth while playing a critical role in Canada’s global competitiveness. Its effectiveness significantly influences Canada’s ability to meet its economic goals."

-- Excerpt from the What We Heard Report from Canada’s Productivity Summit.

Continue to check back as we frequently make updates to our program agenda.

"The immediate priority is creating a national strategy to prioritize infrastructure development and address productivity. Establishing a dedicated federal champion or ministry focused on infrastructure could streamline decision-making and ensure alignment across government levels."

-- Excerpt from the What We Heard Report from Canada’s Productivity Summit.