It’s time for our local governments to focus on productivity. Remember grade school? Likely these are some of your first memories. If your experience was similar to mine, you and your classmates learned simple, but valuable life lessons.
Things like: “No hitting, kicking, or biting.” -this taught us self-control; “Sharing is caring.” – this taught us community; “If you make a mess, clean it up.” – this taught us accountability; “If you have a question, raise your hand.” – this taught us communication; “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.” – this taught us self-awareness.
How does any of this relate to municipalities politics? Well, it’s surprisingly simple.
It’s just January, and the writing’s already on the wall. Municipal leaders have tabled their 2026 budgets – highlighting their plans and projects designed to increase quality of life. New pet projects are promised and tax increases are modest.
Canada’s economy is in bad shape right now, however. We’re predicted to drop to last place in the developed world in terms of labour productivity by 2030. Why, then, do our municipal budgets not focus more on driving productivity? After all, productivity drives economic growth – and that’s the one thing we need most right now.
Projects that drive productivity should be prioritized over those that do not – even if they add to the public good. This means we may have to wait for or do without certain public amenities that don’t drive productivity in favour of those that will. Reallocating funds from non-productive to productive projects may be necessary in order to prevent our economy from slipping into a recession, as many financial consultants across Canada have predicted.
Given the ever-evolving geo-political landscape, Canada needs to be hyper-focused on growth from the top, right down to the municipal level. Nation-building projects are needed, and some are underway. Cities need to align with this approach in ways that drive economic growth through projects focussed on productivity.
2026 shouldn’t be a year to implement dream projects. It’s a time to save and a time to nation build. Effectively, this is a time for austerity – a difficult but valuable life lesson learned by many across the world as a way out of tough times.
Things are different now in Canada. Immigration is being reduced. Birth rates are in decline. We need a new post-COVID outlook – one that takes into consideration a new American National Security Strategy that addresses more than just tariffs.
Supporting local business communities and helping them adapt to circumstances far outside their control should be a priority. We need to pay close attention to understand if government expenditures are actually increasing employment, encouraging innovation and technological advancement, and driving productivity. Our focus should be on talent, ideas, innovation, and efficiency.
Regardless of who is responsible for our current economic situation, we’re at a point where we need to recognize that there’s a mess and resolve to clean it up together – politicians and the people.
We need innovative, future-proof projects that drive productivity at all levels of government – first and foremost. Cities need to invest taxpayer money into projects that will attract top talent, create local jobs, foster creativity and resilience, and ultimately restore Canada’s standing on the world economic stage.
