Canada needs a long-term plan for resource development

As published in the National Post

Through determination and grit, we have once again demonstrated what makes this country strong. In the face of economic challenges and trade uncertainty, we’ve responded with resilience: buying Canadian, defending our industries and standing up for Canada with “elbows up.”

But let’s be honest: our country needs more than resilience. It needs an action plan. Strong, independent, robust countries don’t happen by accident — they are built by people who are prepared to make bold, long-term decisions in the public interest. For too long, we have allowed domestic and international politics to derail our path to prosperity.

One of the greatest challenges facing democracies today is the increasing number of barriers to building big things. We live in a vast country rich in resources like food, fuel and minerals. We have abundant supply not only for ourselves, but for people around the world. We need to improve how we access our resources and share them. That requires roads, bridges, pipelines, rail lines, ports and transmission corridors.

But those big national projects — investments that create jobs and power our economy — are too often caught in cycles of political uncertainty. There are far too many recent examples of major initiatives that have been delayed, shelved or outright cancelled at the stroke of a pen after an election. We are holding back our success when we should be propelling forward.

This uncertainty doesn’t just impact employers and investors — it affects all of us. The money that businesses deploy in major projects often belongs to Canadians through pensions, savings and investment funds. When a proposal gets approved by one government, only to be cancelled by the next, we all lose.

Ambitious, future-focused projects span decades and must be shielded from short-term political pressures.

That’s why leadership can’t fall solely on politicians’ shoulders. In a democracy, it’s our job to tell our political leaders what we want. We have the power to demand that those seeking public office deliver on projects that advance the country’s national and economic interests and, crucially, commit to keeping them free from politicization.

Rather than focusing on short-term promises, leaders in the next federal election should offer a range of long-term visions that aim to boost prosperity for all Canadians. Three basic principles should make up the core of any plan.

The first is predictability and stability: anyone who wants to invest in Canada needs to see clear, consistent policies that foster confidence and drive long-term investment.

The second is regulatory excellence: we must eliminate unnecessary barriers, delays and uncertainty that hold back job creation and innovation.

Lastly, urgency: our political leaders must recognize the importance of acting quickly to build a more resilient country.

We have the talent, resources and entrepreneurial spirit to lead the world. But leadership requires action. Canada cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while our global peers move forward. Now is the time to get behind a clear strategy that prioritizes economic growth, prosperity and opportunity for all Canadians.

Let’s move beyond reactive policies and embrace a common vision for a more dynamic and prosperous Canada. Capital goes where it is welcome, let’s make it feel that way Canada. We must take our ambition and turn it into action.