Why commercial rent control is key to Canada’s economic sovereignty
For small businesses across Canada, a lack of commercial tenancy protections means unexpected rent increases, undue financial distress and even threat of closure. As SCP Fellow Liliana Locke argues, there are jurisdictions that have solved for commercial rent hikes that we can learn from in this moment. Smart policy in the commercial rent market would provide Canada’s small businesses the vital stability they need to sustain and grow their businesses through these turbulent economic times.
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.
A ‘silver tsunami’ of business exits is coming—here’s how to keep them Canadian
A combination of rising U.S. tariffs, a weakening Canadian dollar and a generation of business owners nearing retirement has created the perfect storm for a wave of foreign takeovers. SCP's Michelle Arnold, Futurpreneur's Karen Greve Young and Venture for Canada's Scott Stirrett on how a few targeted policy changes could enable aspiring entrepreneurs to buy existing businesses, keeping jobs and ownership local while injecting fresh energy into our Canadian economy.
How employee ownership can help secure Canadian sovereignty | The Calgary Herald
With Canada’s sovereignty at stake, we must invest in every approach to keeping Canadian businesses in Canadian hands. If we match the U.K.'s success in incentivizing employee-ownership conversion, we would see 300 Canadian companies sold to their workers each year. SCP Chair Jon Shell and Employee Ownership Canada CEO Michael Ras explain how very few policies promise as powerful an outcome.
Canada’s economic vulnerabilities show why it must invest in the wealth of local communities | The Conversation
For Canada to build a more resilient economy, we must secure local assets, democratize the economy and ensure wealth circulates within communities rather than being extracted by distant, corporate interests. In The Conversation, SCP Fellow Audrey Jamal and Heather M. Hachigian write that a promising solution lies in community wealth building.
The hidden takeover of our economy—and 5 things we can do about it
Today, Canada’s main streets are more likely to feature American chains and less likely to be locally owned. We already face economic assault from the south—SCP's CEO Matthew Mendelsohn and Fellow Rachel Wasserman on why we cannot accept unchecked serial acquisitions as a tactic in this economic war against us and what we can do about it.
Four ways to keep Canadian businesses in Canadian hands
Despite the fact that governments, business leaders, workers and Canadians all say they want to be less economically vulnerable, there is a real risk that, two years from now, even more of our businesses and assets will be owned by U.S. investors. SCP's CEO Matthew Mendelsohn and Chair Jon Shell propose four ideas to prevent American finance from gobbling up the Canadian economy.
Feb. 25 Webinar | What about cities? Building economic resilience amidst a new Canada-U.S. order
Join moderator Shauna Sylvester for an Urban Climate Leadership online webinar featuring Mary Rowe, CEO of Canadian Urban Institute, Mairin Loewen, Assoc. Program Director at UCL and Matthew Mendelsohn, CEO at Social Capital Partners, in discussion on the impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian cities. February 25, 2025 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET.
Feb. 14 Webinar | When Global Hits Local
In the face of Trump's economic assault, Canada's local businesses and leaders must manage uncertainty and maintain and strengthen community resilience. How will tariffs impact small businesses, supply chains and local economies? Tune in from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. on February 14 to hear our CEO Matthew Mendelsohn and an expert panel discuss practical, community-driven solutions to bolster local economies in the face of global shifts.
The strength within: Some economists say we can’t count on fair and open trade with the U.S. anymore. Is it time for Canada to look inward instead? | Toronto Star
When U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to launch a full-blown trade war with its closest ally, many Canadians felt as if their best friend had suddenly turned around and stabbed them in the back. The Star spoke with economists, academics and other experts, including SCP CEO Matthew Mendelsohn, about how the country should best navigate this new era of Trump's isolationism, and found there are realistic steps we can take to reduce our dependence on the States.