Entrepreneurs launch the platform "Build Canada" to drive innovation

A coalition of Canadian tech leaders has launched a groundbreaking initiative called Build Canada to strengthen Canada's innovation landscape and attract vital investment. This platform, formed by various founders, entrepreneurs, and business executives, aims to provide actionable policy ideas that can transform the country’s economic environment.

For years, the technology sector has voiced concerns about the need for a more conducive atmosphere for innovation and productivity. Recent events have further underscored the urgency of effective strategies fostering growth and prosperity. Build Canada intends to address these challenges by offering weekly policy proposals that tackle various pressing economic issues. These proposals will encompass topics such as enhancing the global competitiveness of Canadian products and services, reforming policies to boost productivity and innovation, and cultivating a cultural ethos that values freedom, ambition, and entrepreneurship.

Daniel Debow, a former Shopify executive and one of the initiative’s key figures, noted that entrepreneurs have difficulty conveying industry-specific ideas in formats that resonate with policymakers. "Entrepreneurs generate numerous valuable insights, but they often lack the time or means to present these ideas effectively," he explained. Build Canada aims to bridge this gap by translating entrepreneurial insights into practical and relevant policy recommendations.

Driving Economic Change Through Collaboration

The context of this launch is critical. Recent economic fluctuations and shifting market dynamics have clarified that Canada's current strategies are insufficient for generating sustainable growth. Andrew Graham, co-founder and CEO of the fintech firm Borrowell, emphasized the initiative's importance: "Build Canada represents a collective of entrepreneurs deeply committed to finding solutions for the challenges facing our economy. Our ideas are designed to drive meaningful change."

This proactive approach to reshaping Canada’s innovation ecosystem is pivotal as technology sector leaders continue to seek ways to enhance the country's global standing. Jeff Adamson, co-founder of Neo Financial, echoed this sentiment, remarking that the platform is essential for reimagining Canada’s economic framework.

In line with its mission, Build Canada recently unveiled four policy proposals intended to reform Canada's immigration strategy significantly. One notable memo, authored by Martin Basiri, CEO of the software startup Passage, advocates for a "bold overhaul" of how newcomers are selected. Proposed reforms include capping humanitarian immigration at five percent of the total intake, fast-tracking graduates from the world's top universities, and expanding the startup visa program to offer immediate residency for entrepreneurs. “We must return to a truly meritocratic system that brings in highly skilled immigrants regardless of ethnicity or religion,” stated Basiri, whose proposal sees support from notable tech leaders like Shopify's Tobias Lütke and Vidyard's Michael Litt.

Ultimately, Build Canada is poised to play a critical role in shaping policies that support entrepreneurship, drive productivity, and create a more dynamic Canadian economy. The time for change is now.