Episode Details
Back to EpisodesCan Canada Meet the Moment? Jim Balsillie Doesn't Hold Back
Description
Canada has no shortage of breakthrough ideas. The problem, Jim Balsillie argues, is that too many of them create jobs, wealth and prosperity somewhere else. He even describes Canada as a "global philanthropist"—a country that invents world-changing technologies but lets the economic benefits accrue elsewhere. As Canada prepares to host the Prime Minister's first-ever Canada Investment Summit this September, we're kicking off our special summer series, Can Canada Meet the Moment?, with one of the country's most influential voices on innovation.
Hosted by Paige Ellis, the first episode features Jim Balsillie, Retired Chairman and co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry) and Co-Founder & Chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators. Balsillie argues Canada's biggest challenge isn't innovation—it's public policy.
Drawing on his experience building BlackBerry into one of the world's most successful technology companies, Balsillie explains why Canada continues to lose startups, talent and intellectual property to the United States, why he believes government policy has put "wind in the face" of Canadian entrepreneurs, and what must change if Canada wants to compete in AI, advanced technology and the industries of the future. He also reflects on BlackBerry's rise and decline, the lessons Canada still hasn't learned, and why he believes Canada can reverse decades of economic decline if it rethinks how it supports innovation.
Throughout this special series, we're asking one question: Can Canada meet the moment? From innovation and entrepreneurship to natural resources, capital and public policy, we'll explore what's working, what's broken, and what it will take for Canada to build the next generation of globally competitive companies.
Timestamps
0:06 Can Canada Meet the Moment presented by Forum Asset Management
0:50 Amber asks Can Canada Meet the Moment?
1:40 Amber welcomes Paige
3:30 The Canadian startup pipeline is shrinking
05:30 The blackberry story & Jim Balsillie
6:45 Canadian inventions game
9:06 Jim Balsillie joins
10:51 Jim’s path to Waterloo
13:30 U.S. investors vs. Bay Street
16:02 Building in Canada
17:49 Policy and entrepreneurship
23:06 Canada’s AI strategy
28:46 Losing value abroad
33:22 AI vs. BlackBerry
35:07 AI and jobs
38:18 Young workers and AI
42:04 Canada’s losses
43:10 Why Jim stays focused on Canada
Sponsors
This show is brought to you by Forum Asset Management, presenting sponsor of our Innovation Special: Can Canada Meet the Moment. Learn more at forumam.com.
Thank you to our partners at ATB Financial. ATB Cormark Capital Markets is a leading North American investment firm providing holistic corporate and capital markets advice and full-service financial solutions. Visit ATB.com/inthemoney for more information.
For over 25 years, Raymond James has been helping Canadians achieve their financial goals. Visit https://raymondjames.ca today to discover how you can live a life well planned.
Thank you to our partners at Hamilton ETFs. For more information visit hamiltonetfs.com
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The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice.The views expressed by th