Publications Archive – C.D. Howe Institute

From: Glen Hodgson and Colin Busby 
To: Canadian economy observers  
Date: May 19, 2026  
Re: Canada’s Tariff Problem Made in Canada 

Canada is furious about Donald Trump’s tariffs – and rightly so. 

But while Ottawa and the premiers have spent months raili...

Manufacturing GDP came in at just over $199 billion, a far cry from its recent high of $215 billion in 2023. This continues a nearly three-year declining trend that began in May 2023. Prior to May 2025 – outside of the COVID shutdown – we had not seen manufacturing output fall below $200 billion since 2014. Tariffs continue to negatively impact the sector, and the war in the Mi...

Youth unemployment in Canada is soaring, entry-level jobs demand years of experience, and many Gen Z graduates are wondering if AI will replace the careers they studied for. In this episode, economist and Wilfred Laurier professor Tammy Schirle breaks down what’s really happening in the job market — and why young Canadians are struggling more than previous generations.

The p...

Youth unemployment in Canada is soaring, entry-level jobs demand years of experience, and many Gen Z graduates are wondering if AI will replace the careers they studied for. In this episode, economist and University of Laurier professor Tammy Schirle breaks down what’s really happening in the job market — and why young Canadians are struggling more than previous generations.

To: ‘Nation Building’ observers  

From: Kate Koplovich, Alexandre Laurin and Colin Busby  

Date: May 14, 2026  

Re:  The New Sovereign Wealth Fund: So Much Money, So Many Questions 

Ottawa is pitching Canada’s “first” national sovereign wealth fund as a way to give every Canad...