19 hours Ago By Apoorv Sinha Contributor
Canada has been known mostly for its humility, but this has masked bouts of bold ambition that mark our history, built on transformative projects and resource-driven trade. From the fur trade to timber, and later energy, Canada’s history is rooted in seizing opportunities and acting decisively. Yet today, the country risks losing its edge and falling behind globally.
To secure its future, Canada must start acting fast, building big and redefining itself for the 21st century. We need our leaders to embrace this Canadian ambition once again — particularly with the recurring drum of annexation coming from our southern neighbours, threatening our very sovereignty. We should take inspiration from our past.
The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 19th century was a defining moment in our history. It wasn’t just a railway — it was a nation-building project that united provinces, opened up vast territories for trade and settlement, and cemented Canada’s place on the global stage. Despite financial hurdles and political risks, leaders of the time understood that bold infrastructure was essential for growth.
The result? A connected Canada with thriving markets and new opportunities. Nearly a century later, the James Bay Project proved Canada’s ability to think big again. This massive hydroelectric development transformed Quebec into an energy powerhouse, generating over 15 GW of electricity — enough to power entire nations.
It required unparalleled engineering feats, thousands of workers and bold leadership willing to take risks. The project not only delivered clean energy but also positioned Canada as a leader in harnessing its natural resources on a global scale, almost 50 years ahead of its time. Both projects remind us: when Canada acts ambitiously, it changes the game.
But in recent times, Canada has slowed down. Bureaucratic red tape and risk-averse policies have driven away billions in investment. Meanwhile, countries like China and the U.
S. are racing ahead with infrastructure build-outs that will define their economies for decades. Canada cannot afford to fall further behind.
To reclaim its position as a global leader, we must act boldly. Four ambitious steps will get us there. Firstly, we need grand challenges — ambitious national goals like building world-class infrastructure for energy production or creating critical mineral supply chains that galvanize public and private sectors alike.
These initiatives can position Canada as a solutions leader in global markets. Second, we need to streamline building approvals and make Canada the fastest place in the world to get permits for major projects. Fast-tracking approvals will attract global investors, innovators and builders who are ready to innovate here.
Third, we must champion immigrant entrepreneurs who have historically driven Canadian growth by highlighting their success stories and creating pathways for ambitious newcomers who can build businesses and drive innovation. While others turn immigrants away, Canada needs to attract the most ambitious to its shores to make it their home. Finally, we need to pick winners by focusing on industries where scale matters — like scalable infrastructure & critical minerals — and backing companies with the potential to dominate globally.
Success is not about fairness; it’s about bold bets that pay off. As Hudson’s Bay Company — a cornerstone of Canada’s early trading economy — files for bankruptcy this week, it marks the end of an era but also signals an opportunity. HBC once defined Canada’s trading roots in fur; now it’s time to redefine trade and infrastructure for the 21st century.
The future lies in building infrastructure that powers tomorrow: energy systems that support renewable grids, supply chains for critical minerals essential for electric vehicles and technologies that position Canada as a global leader in sustainability and innovation. Canada has everything it needs: abundant resources, innovative talent, and a history of rising to challenges with bold action. But we need urgency.
The next 100 years won’t wait for polite deliberation — they demand decisive action. Let Hudson’s Bay’s decline remind us of our roots while inspiring us to evolve. By acting ambitiously — building fast and building smart — Canada can claim its place as an economic powerhouse and secure prosperity for generations to come.
Canada need not apologize for its ambition and should instead unleash the dynamism of the country — ready to be bigger, bolder and to lead..
