Rural Canada Emerges as Key Driver of National Economy

The Business Council of Canada's senior vice-president of policy, Theo Argitis, believes that rural Canada has a pivotal role to play in the country's economy. Argitis points out that despite making up less than 20% of the population, rural areas account for 30% of GDP and an even larger share of exports.

According to Argitis, governments are now focusing on building strong domestic economic foundations, including investing in infrastructure, prioritizing energy security, rebuilding industrial capacity, and investing in defence and strategic industries. This shift is driven by the need for countries to be resilient and stable in the face of increasing uncertainty.

Rural Canada's importance is being recognized due to its rich natural resources, including agriculture, energy, food production, critical minerals, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Argitis notes that partnerships between rural communities and Indigenous people are also key to unlocking economic potential.