‘Economic growth is not your grandfather's economic growth,’ say Coalition for a Better Future co-chairs in conversation with young Canadian leaders

Lisa Raitt and Anne McLellan discuss inclusive, sustainable economic growth policies
with McGill students on Coalition Campus Tour

MONTREAL, May 9, 2023 — Canada needs better public policies to ensure long-term, economic growth that’s inclusive and sustainable for future generations, say Coalition for a Better Future co-chairs Lisa Raitt and Anne McLellan.

“Economic growth is not your grandfather's economic growth, it is completely different these days. We need better public policy around it. We need better tools,” Raitt said at McGill University during a Coalition Campus Tour with students from the Max Bell School of Public Policy. “Your decision makers are setting out what economic growth is going to be looking like for the next 20 years because of the decisions that they're taking right now in public policy. And I think it's an incredibly exciting time to be involved.”

McLellan agreed, saying it’s integral for all Canadians, civil society and businesses to “figure out how, by 2030, we have the most inclusive, most sustainable, competitive economy in the world.” She said without aspirational targets and without a plan, complacency sets in – to the detriment of our country.

“Canadians are good at complacency. But maybe we're not so good at being ambitious,” she said, noting that’s why it was important for the Coalition to travel across the country to speak to Canadian youth who will be affected the most by the decisions made today. “We need a plan for economic growth. We have to execute and take that word to heart: execute.”

Building a stronger economy starts with young leaders who should define the inclusive and sustainable future they desire. To achieve this, the Coalition for a Better Future’s Campus Tour, supported by Shell Canada, brings our co-chairs to universities, colleges, and training centres across Canada to speak with tomorrow’s leaders.

Susannah Pierce, Shell Canada President and Country Chair, Vice President Emerging Energy Solutions, also spoke at the event. She said when she learned of the Coalition’s work, she thought it was fantastic and wanted to get involved. “Why? Because the Coalition is focused on those things which I think each one of you, as a good citizen in society, needs to care about,” she told the students.

“For successful enterprise and economic development, we really do need to make sure we're keeping our eye on the ball and good public policy. How competitive is Canada? And is growth actually being inclusive, are we actually becoming a more prosperous society? We've got to ask ourselves this question.”

The Coalition represents a diverse community of like-minded organizations in the private and not-for-profit sectors, unified in the belief that economic growth is necessary for job creation, rising incomes, a cleaner environment, and a better quality of life. The Coalition’s Scorecard tracks Canada’s progress on 21 key economic, social, and environmental indicators over the next decade over three key themes: Winning Globally, Living Better and Growing Sustainably.

“We're agnostic on the public policy levers to get to economic growth. It's not enough just to study, you’ve got to measure,” Raitt said. “The purpose is to measure where we are as a country when it comes to economic growth. But the economic growth can't just be same old, same old. It's got to be inclusive, and it's got to be sustainable.”

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Tina Romito

Director of Operations, Coalition for a Better Future

Cell: 613-297-4325, operations@canadacoalition.ca