CANADALAND The Productivity Crisis: are Canadians Just Lazy?
Aug 12, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Philip Cross, a senior fellow at the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, and Brian Lewis, a professor at U of T's Monk School, tackle Canada's productivity crisis. They delve into the disconnect between stagnant wages and rising living costs, stressing that it's not about individual effort but systemic issues. The guests explore cultural attitudes affecting productivity, the impact of economic inequality, and the need for significant investment shifts. Their insights reveal a complex landscape where corporate profits and worker wellbeing often clash.
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Economists Rock A Band
- Brian Lewis plays in a band called the Invisible Hands with other economists.
- Noor Azrieh jokes about the economics pun during the interview.
What Productivity Actually Means
- Brian Lewis defines productivity as output per unit of labor input.
- He says it can be measured at individual, sectoral, or national levels.
Bank Of Canada Flags A Crisis
- Philip Cross says the Bank of Canada labelled productivity a 'break the glass' crisis and highlighted weak business investment.
- He argues this framing signals a structural, decade-long problem for Canada's growth.