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Economic Viewpoint

Productivity: Diversifying Trade Could Help Re-Energize Canada’s Leading Firms

October 15, 2026
Nom du rédacteur
Jimmy Jean
Vice-President, Chief Economist and Strategist

Highlights

  • Canada’s productivity lag is also affecting the nation’s most productive companies. Even firms at the productivity frontier can’t assume their productivity will continue to grow at a rapid pace.
  • Several indicators suggest competitive pressure has weakened in Canada. Recent Statistics Canada research shows that the most productive firms may be most affected by this trend.
  • Trade diversification may help reignite productivity by exposing Canadian companies to new competitors, larger markets and new sources of knowledge and capital.
  • Access to larger markets can also help firms scale up and expand internationally, two strategies linked to increased productivity and innovation.
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