Reports

The coalition’s initiative provides actionable policy recommendations to drive investment, create jobs, and strengthen Canada’s role as a global leader in energy, agriculture, mining and critical minerals, forestry, and aquaculture. 

Strategic Growth Enablers

Strategic Growth Enablers are essential for the success of all natural resource industries. To enable success across all Canadian resource industries, the coalition recommends Canada must take five actions: 

1. 1. Fix Canada’s major project approval process 
   2. Create a clear and effective Indigenous consultation process 
   3. Unlock Indigenous economic potential in the resources sector 
   4. Pursue new global markets for resource industries 
   5. Invest in trade-related transportation infrastructure 

Agriculture

Canada’s agriculture sector is a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing billions to GDP, and positioning Canada as a key player in global food security.  

However, right now, Canadian farmers struggle to get their products to market while navigating burdensome federal regulations which add costs and paperwork. To top it off, the sector is undergoing a severe labour shortage. Young people aren’t going into agriculture, the immigration system isn’t suited for the unique needs of the industry, and there’s not enough investment in research and development to address the labour shortage through automation.

The good news: we can turn this around.

Here’s what Canada’s next federal government can do to support a vibrant and growing agricultural sector: 

1. 1. Make agriculture and value-added food production a top federal priority 
   2. Improve market access for Canadian agricultural products  
   3. Amend and improve the regulatory environment for agriculture 
   4. Strengthen workforce capacity in agriculture

Forestry

Canada is home to one of the world’s largest and most sustainably managed forest reserves. As the fourth-largest exporter of forest products, the industry generated $45.6 billion in export revenue and supported over 212,000 jobs. Key products include softwood lumber ($13.7 billion), wood pulp ($8.9 billion), and structural wood panels ($4.7 billion)—important inputs to home building and construction across North America and beyond. 

While provinces oversee most aspects of forestry management, the federal government has a critical role to play in supporting the industry’s long-term growth. Strategic action is needed in key areas such as trade advocacy, investment incentives, and forestry health. Action is also needed in reducing federal policy barriers, including excessive emissions pricing, regulatory inefficiencies, and limited international market access.    

Here’s what Canada’s next federal government can do to position Canada as a global leader in forestry: 

1. 1. Promote healthy and productive forests  
   2. Strengthen Canada’s fiscal and investment climate 
   3. Modernize regulations 
   4. Strengthen trade and market access 

Energy

Canada is endowed with the third-largest oil and fifth-largest natural gas reserves in the world. These prolific resources have provided hundreds of thousands of high-paying jobs, billions of dollars in government revenues and helped to advance important economic and social goals, including notably Indigenous economic reconciliation. 

But for too long, Canada hasn’t allowed its energy sector to realize its full potential.

It’s time to reaffirm Canada’s sovereignty by harnessing the potential of our collective resource wealth and becoming the responsible, sustainable energy powerhouse we ought to be.  

Here’s what Canada’s next federal government can do to help create a national energy powerhouse: 

1. 1. Stand up for Canada’s energy sector and support its growth 
   2. Create a simple, competitive, and globally focused industrial emissions policy 
   3. Retract and repeal investment-killing layers of regulatory policy  

Mining and Critical Minerals

Canada is home to some of the world’s most abundant mineral reserves, including critical minerals essential for the clean energy, technology, and defense industries. These resources have the potential to drive economic growth, create high-paying jobs, and position Canada as a global leader in the supply of materials crucial to the modern economy. 

Now, with growing recognition of the sector’s importance, there is a rare opportunity to course-correct. By cutting red tape, accelerating permitting, and fostering investment, Canada can reclaim its place as a mining powerhouse, secure its economic future, and strengthen its role in the global supply chain. 

Here’s what Canada’s next federal government can do to secure Canada as a global mining superpower: 

1. 1. Foster an environment of investment and competitiveness  
   2. Enhance Canadian mining capacity 
   3. Tackle Canada’s mining labour shortage  

Aquaculture

Canada’s aquaculture sector—which includes the farming of more than a dozen types of fish and shellfish (much of that Atlantic salmon)—is vital to the economy, food security, and coastal communities. In 2023, it generated $2 billion in GDP, $900 million in exports, and supported 17,000 full-time jobs. The industry’s supply chain of over 3,000 businesses benefits small, remote, and Indigenous communities. 

With one of the lowest carbon footprints among protein sources, aquaculture is also well-positioned to meet growing global demand for food. Its efficient 1:1 feed-to-growth ratio outperforms other meats. 

Despite these advantages, regulatory challenges in Canada are stifling growth. In recent decades, activism has overshadowed science, and regulatory authority has increasingly shifted from the provincial to the federal government. On top of that, outdated marine harbour infrastructure and inadequate support for research and innovation are further limiting the industry’s growth.  

Here is what Canada’s next federal government can do to make Canada a global leader in efficient and ethical aquaculture:

1. 1. Modernize the regulatory and policy environment
   2. Promote innovation and Indigenous stewardship
   3. Allocate appropriate funding and standardise the quality of marine harbour infrastructure from coast to coast