Release of New Report: Reviving Canadian Growth and Prosperity: What Role for an Expanded Economic Relationship with China?
OTTAWA, ON – A new report examines how a broader economic relationship with China could help Canada address challenges related to trade diversification, productivity, infrastructure investment, housing affordability, innovation, and long-term economic resilience. The report argues that Canada should take a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to assessing opportunities for engagement with China while maintaining appropriate safeguards to protect national security and strategic interests.
Reviving Canadian Growth and Prosperity: What Role for an Expanded Economic Relationship with China? was prepared by Julian Karaguesian, a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Economics at McGill University and a former Special Advisor in the International Trade and Finance Branch at Department of Finance Canada. He is a frequent media commentator on Canadian economic policy issues and is the Founder and Chief Economist of Age of Economics. Clara Chu assisted on this report as researcher and co-editor.
The report was commissioned by the Office of the Honourable Yuen Pau Woo.
“As Canada and China continue their reset of bilateral relations, this report is a timely reminder to not allow prejudice and outdated notions of the PRC to limit the scope of an expanded relationship. China is not just a major market for our natural resources, but also a potential partner for policy collaboration, investment, education exchanges, research and innovation, and deeper cultural and people-to-people ties.”
— Senator Yuen Pau Woo
“Long the world’s largest economy and population, China has reemerged over the past half-century as a hyper-modern and globally connected centre of manufacturing, trade and culture. As Canada seeks to reduce its excessive economic dependence on a single country, and thus safeguard its prosperity and sovereignty, the potential for a broader economic relationship with China is in this country’s vital national interest. This can be achieved by taking a more nuanced, even-handed, Made-in-Canada approach to China, in place of approaches and narratives that may suit other countries.”
— Julian Karaguesian
