OPINION: A Vision for Canada: Building Bold, Building Now

Canada stands at a pivotal moment. Recent policy shifts, driven by growing trade tensions, economic slowdowns, and a global race for critical resources have illuminated a stark truth: infrastructure is our lifeline to resilience and prosperity. The One Canadian Economy Act and Building Canada Act, paired with a newly established Major Projects Office in Calgary, aim to cut red tape and prioritize “national interest” projects. These are ambitious steps toward unlocking Canada’s potential

Action can’t wait. Investments are flowing: over $18 million is heading to Yukon communities for core upgrades through the Canada Community-Building Fund in urban transit, Montreal’s $6.5 billion REM light metro expands rapidly toward full deployment and Alto, the proposed high-speed rail linking Toronto and Quebec City, promises to transform national mobility. These projects reflect ideas, not inertia, however much more is needed.

Why Canada Must Think Big—and Build Bigger

Economic Diversification and Global Competitiveness
The post-pandemic and protectionist trade environment has shown that relying on a narrow economic model leaves Canada vulnerable. Building infrastructure, from energy and transit to ports and corridors, can diversify our trade, reduce dependence, and address major bottlenecks. The proposed Ontario-Alberta energy corridor (including deep-sea ports and pipelines) exemplifies how infrastructure can strengthen inter-provincial cohesion and energy trade.

Unlocking the Critical Minerals Economy
Canada’s vast reserves of rare earths and strategic minerals are largely unexploited due to weak processing infrastructure and funding gaps. While the government has backed projects like Strange Lake, industry leaders warn that without faster approvals and investment, Canada cannot realistically challenge China’s 90% hold over minerals processing. Streamlined infrastructure investment is foundational to building those new supply chains.

Building with Inclusivity and Speed
The Building Canada Act’s requirement to consult and partner with Indigenous communities recognizes that this development must be done in partnership with Canada’s First Nations.Infrastructure banks, like the Canada Infrastructure Bank, can accelerate progress by enabling public-private models that deliver faster results.

The clock is ticking. Canadians don’t just need infrastructure, we need infrastructure that embodies a national mission: diversifying our economy, building modern supply lines, and moving swiftly to prepare for a challenging future. To do that, we must embrace both ambition and pragmatism. There is a blueprint but we need to act on it.

We can’t keep planning in slow motion. The time to build is now. Let’s push Canada’s infrastructure into the 21st century. Not one project at a time, but with bold ambition and unity of purpose.