In recent years there’s been a common theme in Canada and it’s not something to be excited about. Business investment is declining in Canada — a fact that must be taken seriously by all Canadians. For the betterment of its people and to deliver on higher standards of living, global investment is crucial. Companies and prospective business owners, therefore, need to take more steps to create innovative Canadian startups that can kickstart the economy. Accordingly, if you would like to learn more about the potential benefits of establishing a start-up in Canada, you can click here to take a look at some of the useful Canadian Visa resources on the JTH Lawyers website. Ultimately, it is hoped that incentives like this will attract startups from various industries to Canada. As Steven Globerman from the Fraser Institute states:
“While Canadian cities such as Vancouver and Toronto enjoyed booming construction, there was essentially no growth in new machinery, equipment, software and other corporate assets that help make Canadian companies more efficient, profitable and capable of paying higher wages.”
It’s true that Canada’s two largest cities are experiencing economic prosperity when it comes to real estate investment from abroad, however, for most Canadians this is doing more harm than good.
Within the energy sector companies are taking their investment outside of Canada at an increasing rate. Just recently, Encana has announced that it’s moving some of its operations outside of Canada and to the United States. This comes right after their acquisition of Texas-based Newfield exploration. Other Canadian companies, such as Solex Thermal Science — experts in industrial heat exchangers — plan to stay right where they are.
Some say that the recent changes implemented by Rachel Notley as well as the Liberal government is to blame and is making it a competitive place to conduct business.
In fact, Canada’s competitiveness, or the lack thereof, is a much-debated topic. Earlier this year RBC president and CEO Dave McKay pointed out that we are seeing capital move from Canada and flow straight into the United States. He further added:
“This will likely be followed by a loss of talent, which means the next generation of engineers, problem solvers and intellectual property could be created not north of the border, but south of it instead.”
Though the stark differences in corporate tax cuts between Canada and United States is a significant factor as to why companies choose to take their operations south of the border, it is also not the only one. Regulatory hurdles that place obstacles in front of businesses operating in Canada can deter potential investment dollars. Though there may be a laundry list of criticisms against Donald Trump’s presidency, it is clear that he has made it more attractive for companies to do business in the United States.
The question then arises, what can be done? It’s clear that there is a competition gap between Canada and its neighbour to the south. Trump’s bold moves may be effective in the short term, but will they pay off in the long run?
The Canadian government has highlighted the weak regulations that ultimately caused the 2008 economic crisis and are seeking to make amends. But regulators must come together and figure out a framework where decisions are made more efficiently and quickly.
Lag time in final decisions due to regulations set in place is detracting potential businesses to invest in Canada. Whatever the solution that comes out of Parliament, it must be made soon or else Canada risks falling farther behind.
This is an article provided by our partners network. It might not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of our editorial team and management.
Contributed content
Founder Dinis Guarda
IntelligentHQ Your New Business Network.
IntelligentHQ is a Business network and an expert source for finance, capital markets and intelligence for thousands of global business professionals, startups, and companies.
We exist at the point of intersection between technology, social media, finance and innovation.
IntelligentHQ leverages innovation and scale of social digital technology, analytics, news, and distribution to create an unparalleled, full digital medium and social business networks spectrum.
IntelligentHQ is working hard, to become a trusted, and indispensable source of business news and analytics, within financial services and its associated supply chains and ecosystems
