The stories we’ve been sold for decades about how our economy works have been collapsing in front of our eyes. Yet the most prominent, well-funded ideas for how to create economic opportunity and security for working people in Canada are stuck in the 1990s.
Free trade, privatization and low taxes on capital and wealth have led to economic insecurity and anxiety for working people. Their benefits have not trickled down.
Right now, our market economy is neither free nor fair. Gobsmacking inequality and high barriers to asset ownership and wealth building for working people are policy choices – and we can make different choices.
It is increasingly clear that governments must shape markets so they work for working people. Governments must aggressively push back against the economic practices that are consolidating wealth, concentrating ownership of assets and robbing working people of their political power and economic agency.
The stories we continue to be told about how the economy works are not true. It’s time for new, more accurate stories.
Solutions to the concentration of wealth, power and opportunity exist. At SCP, we are committed to highlighting these solutions and the increasingly clear evidence that there are alternatives that will build economic resilience, sustainable economic growth, community well-being, human happiness and democratic stability.
On this topic
Canada Growth Summit 2025: Unleashing Canada’s potential in turbulent times
The United States’ unprecedented economic assault has brought Canada’s many pressing challenges, both internal and geopolitical, into sharp relief. On April 24, SCP CEO Matthew Mendelsohn joins a panel of experts for a discussion on accelerating investment at Growth Summit 2025. This year's PPF event will focus on how to urgently unlock Canada’s economic growth potential to safeguard our country’s global competitiveness—and our own standard of living.
New Canadian Tax Observatory seeks visionary founding CEO
Social Capital Partners and other funders announce a new, non-partisan, nonprofit Canadian organization to lead an informed national conversation on the links between taxation, economic fairness and a thriving democracy. The Canadian Tax Observatory is seeking a visionary leader who can shape and grow a permanent, influential Canadian institution connected to global networks identifying better, more effective ways to achieve tax fairness.
Request for Statement of Ambition: Visionary Founding CEO to lead the Canadian Tax Observatory
Social Capital Partners is seeking a visionary Founding CEO to lead the Canadian Tax Observatory - a new, non-partisan, nonprofit Canadian institution that will drive an informed national conversation on the links between taxation, economic fairness and a thriving democracy. Submit your Statement of Ambition by May 21, 2025.
Watch the video: New ideas for a democratic economy | DemocracyXChange 2025
What kind of economy do we want for Canada—one that prioritizes growth and productivity, at any cost? Or one that focuses on greater shared prosperity? Watch the April 5th recording of SCP CEO Matthew Mendelsohn and an expert panel discussing "New Ideas for a Democratic Economy" at DemocracyXchange 2025.
As Canada prepares for disruption and sacrifice, whose side are our leaders on?
In this election, Canadians are looking for a leader who will stand up to economic threats from our mercurial and adversarial neighbour. But how, Matthew Mendelsohn asks, will the ideas on offer help workers, regular people, not-for-profits and smaller and medium-sized businesses transition to the emerging new world order? Yes, Canada needs economic growth, but it needs to be the kind that enriches working Canadians, not just not just large financial and corporate interests.
Policy ideas that meet this moment can come from anywhere—even LinkedIn
From fighter jets to TikTok, nothing is off the table when Canadians talk about how best to counter Trump's economic assault on Canada. SCP brings you some creative, crowdsourced policy ideas gathered by our Chair Jon Shell on a recent LinkedIn post. More evidence that new voices entering the policy discussion will help us get through the current crisis and emerge in a more hopeful place.
Concepts of a plan to confront the new United States
Living next to a superpower run by oligarchs is not where we expected to be 20 years ago, says Matthew Mendelsohn. But it’s where we are. Pretending otherwise doesn’t serve our interests. Canada is big enough, powerful enough, smart enough and rich enough to build a stronger, more independent economy if we start now.
The Alternative Exit podcast: Championing Employee Ownership Trusts to revolutionize wealth distribution
SCP Chair Jon Shell sits down with Andy Farquharson on The Alternative Exit Podcast to explore the transformative potential of employee ownership. Jon recounts how he advocated for Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) in Canada to address wealth inequality and business succession. He talks advantages of EOTs, from preserving a company’s legacy to fostering economic resilience in the workforce and reshaping both business culture and wealth distribution.
Social Capital Partners appoints slate of new advisors
Advisory Board members will advise on SCP’s strategy and agenda, drawing on decades of experience across finance, business, government, public policy, communications, civil society and community economic development.
A message from Social Capital Partners: We’re going to tell you the truth
There are lots of real, tangible public-policy solutions to the problems we face, says Matthew Mendelsohn. It begins with talking about the economy in a different way, grounded firmly in the public interest and data that reflect the reality of how people experience their economic lives.
