We're in our nation building era — let's get it right

National Observer

2 days ago

Canada has a long history of ambitious nation-building projects, from the construction of the transcontinental railway in the 19th century to the development of national infrastructure and programs, such as highways, electrical grids, public universities and public healthcare. These undertakings were designed to unify a vast geography, stimulate economic growth and enhance the quality of life for Canadians.
Today, as the world rapidly transitions to a very different energy future, Canada's nation-building must evolve. We can still be drawers of water and hewers of wood, but it is no longer sufficient to focus solely on resource extraction, especially that which is carbon-emission intensive. We cannot double-down on the projects of the past and expect to get a better future. Instead, we must prioritize economic transformation to maintain competitiveness, a high quality of life and environmental integrity in an era dominated by the clean energy revolution.
The 21st century presents a new global reality where climate change, biodiversity loss, toxic pollution and economic shifts are at the forefront. Canada, blessed with abundant natural resources and an educated, skilled population, has a unique opportunity to lead in this transition.
We can, and should, invest in renewable energy systems, including energy storage, the cheapest form of new electricity ever developed.
We can use this power to run expanded, electrified public transit and personal electric vehicles.
We can use it to power new and renovated homes by replacing furnaces with heat pumps.
We can help solve gridlock and increase productivity by moving more people on regional and inter-regional rail.
Canada's economic transformation should be about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing Canada's long-term prosperity, writes Tim Gray
We can make family-sized homes more abundant and affordable by building small multi-unit buildings within our towns and cities using and exporting Canadian-made construction materials like mass-timber and high-insulation windows.
We can use our factories and people to build the batteries, components, control systems and software needed to run smart grids and efficient, clean towns and cities.
This transformation is not just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions — though that is an urgent and undeniable imperative — it is also about securing Canada's long-term economic prosperity. The International Energy Agency and numerous global financial institutions (some formerly headed by our new prime minister) have made it clear: the future belongs to those who invest in clean energy and sustainable technologies. Countries that lag behind risk being left with stranded fossil fuel assets, lost competitiveness and weakened energy security. Canada must avoid this fate by channelling public and private investment into industries that will thrive in a world producing and consuming energy more smartly and cleanly.
In addition, as Canada shifts its nation-building strategy, it must retain and strengthen the environmental laws that reflect its longstanding commitment to protecting the land, air and water. Beginning in the 1970s, Canada introduced landmark legislation to assess the environmental impact of major projects, limit air, water and land pollution, control the release of toxic substances and protect endangered species. These legal frameworks — such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Impact Assessment Ac t, and the Species at Risk Act — were born out of a recognition that unchecked industrial activity can result in irreversible harm to ecosystems, human health and ecological productivity. Asbestos in schools, DDT, mercury-laden pulp mill pollution, lead in gasoline, decimated fisheries and clear cut old growth forests were just some of the mistakes that we passed legislation to prevent from recurring.
These laws are not red tape — they are reflections of Canadian values. They help incorporate Indigenous rights into project development and review, ensure public participation in decision-making, and attempt to safeguard biodiversity in a rapidly changing world. Upholding these principles as Canada transitions to clean energy is critical. The urgency of securing economic independence must not be used as a pretext to shortcut environmental due diligence or marginalize communities. In fact, the clean energy transition offers an opportunity to do better: to build projects that are not only sustainable in terms of emissions, but also socially and ecologically just.
For instance, large-scale industrial projects such as pipelines, hydroelectric dams or wind farms, can have significant local, regional or national impacts. Without robust environmental assessments and Indigenous and community consultation and engagement, these projects risk repeating the mistakes of the past — destroying or polluting ecosystems and displacing Indigenous peoples. True nation-building in this new era must, therefore, combine technological progress with a deep respect for the environment and for all communities affected by development.
This dual imperative — transforming the economy and preserving environmental safeguards — can be achieved through coordinated national strategies. Canada should develop an industrial policy that aligns federal and provincial efforts to decarbonize the economy, while also embedding strong environmental protections in all infrastructure planning. Public investment must prioritize projects that deliver long-term climate benefits and regulatory bodies must be empowered, not weakened, to enforce environmental standards.
Furthermore, education, skills training and job programs must be integrated into this vision. An economic future that supports workers and communities currently dependent on carbon-intensive industries is essential to ensure national unity and social stability. Nation-building today must be inclusive and forward-looking, empowering people from coast to coast to coast to participate in and benefit from the clean energy economy.
Canada stands at a pivotal moment. The nation-building projects of the past met the challenges of their time, but the current era demands a strategy that secures economic prosperity while safeguarding the environment. Upholding strong environmental laws is not a barrier to progress; it is a foundation for responsible and resilient development. By aligning its historic values with the demands of the clean energy revolution, Canada can build a future that is both prosperous and sustainable for all its people and generations to come.