I chose Canada not once but twice. I moved here from England when I was 18. As any immigrant knows, that’s a humbling experience. You say goodbye to the familiar and step into the unknown. But like it has for millions of others, Canada welcomed me with open arms. I built a life and career here. Years later, after having worked around the world and led teams in the UK and US, I was presented the choice of where to put down roots. Again, I chose Canada. There’s just something different, something wonderful about the way we collaborate and do business here. As a nation, we’ve always balanced ambition with pragmatism, stability with innovation. For all our natural resources and beauty, we’re rich in something I find even more valuable—kindness, humility, and deep trust in our institutions.
That’s why the past week has felt like a watershed moment. After years of increasing polarization, it’s been a long time since Canadians have felt this unified. If you had asked me at the start of 2025 what it would take to bring us together, I wouldn’t have guessed a potential trade war. And yet, here we are, brought together not by a hockey tournament or live concert, but by a challenge to our economic sovereignty. The tariffs, the trade disputes, the broader questions about our place in the global economy… these aren’t just policy debates. They’ve sparked a national reckoning. Because at the heart of this moment is an existential question: how do we ensure Canada remains strong, resilient, and independent for the long haul?
Let’s continue the “buy Canadian” campaigns and support with our wallets. Afterall, economic sovereignty is as much about how we build as it is about how we buy. It’s about securing and investing in the industries, infrastructure, and values that underpin our economy.
As a country, we have undeniable strengths: incredible natural resources, a highly skilled workforce, a thriving innovation sector, and a strong financial infrastructure. But we can’t take any of it for granted. What happens if key industries become too dependent on foreign investment? If our payments and banking systems are overtaken by global players? If we fail to protect the industries that will define our future, from energy and artificial intelligence to security and technology? Economic sovereignty means making sure that Canada maintains control over the essential systems that power our economy, so that we are not at the mercy of external forces.
These are conversations we’ve been having at Interac for decades. As a uniquely Canadian company, we’ve always recognized the importance of homegrown financial infrastructure. Economic resilience starts with the ability to move money safely and efficiently. In times of uncertainty, where financial services are increasingly dominated by global players, maintaining a trusted, secure, and independent network matters more than ever. Whether it’s Interac Debit that empowers Canadians to pay with the money in their bank account, Interac e-Transfer transactions that help consumers and businesses move money virtually instantly, fraud prevention tools that help keep transactions secure, or Interac Verified solutions that instill trust in digital interactions, our work has always been about protecting prosperity and giving Canadians the financial tools they need to thrive.
When we talk about our country’s economic strength, it’s easy to focus on the big players. But the reality is that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of this country. They make up an estimated 98% of all businesses in Canada, employing millions of people. Unfortunately, they’re often the most vulnerable when economic shocks hit. Tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruption impact SMBs in ways that large corporations may often be able to absorb.
And yet, I believe these businesses represent a tremendous opportunity for long-term resilience. The more we support them—through smarter policies, better access to financial tools, and stronger payment infrastructure—the more resilient our economy can become. That’s why at Interac we’re committed to providing Canadian small businesses the support they need, making it easier for businesses to get paid quickly, help protect against fraud, and navigate financial uncertainty with confidence.
While we’re fighting potential tariffs, we also need to take a hard look at the barriers we’ve created for ourselves. It might seem hard to believe, but right now it’s easier for some businesses in Canada to trade internationally than it is to operate across provincial lines. Interprovincial trade barriers, complex regulations, and fragmented policies make it challenging for many businesses to scale. For any vision that relies on homegrown innovation, this presents a significant problem.
I believe this moment ought to be a turning point in our nation’s course. Instead of treating it as a short-term crisis, we need to think 10, 20, 50 years down the road. That means taking action to strengthen Canada’s economic independence. It means bold leadership from policymakers who prioritize long-term resilience over quick fixes. It means businesses investing in homegrown talent and technology. And it means Canadians thinking about where they place their trust, from the businesses they support to the institutions that safeguard their financial lives.
Economic resilience doesn’t happen by accident. It requires trust, stability, and vision. If we take this opportunity to strengthen our institutions, support our local businesses, and remove the barriers holding us back, we can help ensure prosperity remains in Canada.
Canadians are more unified now than any moment in recent memory. The challenge is making sure this unity turns into meaningful action. It’s time to define our own future and make sure we’re in control of what happens next.
