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Leading
Canada is a leader, either ranking or rating among the best internationally or performing well against national goals.
On track
Canada has either met the target identified or is expected to meet the target in the near-term.
Needs attention
Canada has not met the target identified for the indicator but, with intervention and support, it could meet the target in future years.
Falling behind
Canada is lagging compared to similar countries or failing to meet the target identified for the indicator. Significant work is needed to meet the target in future years.
Open accessible version
of the wheel
Open accessible version
of the wheel
This is Century Initiative’s 2nd annual National Scorecard on Canada’s Growth and Prosperity, setting a bold economic and social vision for the country. The Scorecard assesses 38 indicators across six focus areas. It provides a strategic window into where Canada leads, remains on track, needs to focus attention, or is falling behind on the issues that will influence Canada’s future.
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National Scorecard
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Key Insights

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#1
While Canada saw its slowest population growth in more than a century we are taking action through expanded immigration level targets, for which Century Initiative has advocated. Canada must also focus on increasing healthy life expectancy for all Canadians and on delivering policies that support Canadians’ choices on family size.
#2
Growing immigration must coincide with significant policy and systems changes to close gaps in educational opportunity, employment and infrastructure frequently experienced by Indigenous peoples.
#3
Canada remains a destination for entrepreneurial and skilled immigrants worldwide. Work remains to be done in ensuring we retain the immigrants we attract, particularly in regions suffering from demographic challenges. We have successfully built systems that help us retain international students – this must be improved for other temporary residents.
#4
The modern economy rewards innovation and creativity – but Canada lags its global competitors in both productivity and private sector R&D investment.
#5
Canada’s education system remains one of the best in the world – but supports for lifelong learning could be strengthened, through investment in skill-building, training and career navigation support.
#6
The pandemic damaged Canadian mothers’ employment rates. This harms women and their families but also the economy overall. Improving supports to families, through policies like a Canada-wide child care system, will better position Canada for long-term prosperity.
#7
A Canada where more people live in denser, well-planned cities will be a Canada that is cleaner, greener, more prosperous and with a higher quality of life. At present, housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable for young Canadians and diminishes the country’s value proposition to potential newcomers. That must change.
#8
The status quo is unsustainable. Now is the time to take intentional and strategic action to set Canada on track for long-term growth and prosperity.

Focus Areas

Growing to 100 million
Immigration
Economy, innovation & entrepreneurship
Education, skills & employment
Support for children & families
Infrastructure & environment

How to use this Scorecard

All Canadians
Governments
Business sector
Non-profit sector
& labour
Academic community
All Canadians can explore the role that growing Canada’s population can play in building long-term, sustainable, and shared prosperity.
Governments can identify critical areas of focus for public policy change and investment. They can use the Scorecard to inform the public on the need for action on priority areas and the risks of maintaining the status quo.
The business sector can identify challenges and interconnections between areas such as education, training, infrastructure, climate, and immigration. This knowledge can enable businesses to lead by improving business practices and advocating for policy change that will enhance Canada’s investment environment and the country’s global standing.
The non-profit sector and labour can mobilize community partners, donors, and stakeholders around local and national actions that can influence social and economic well-being and further Canada’s ability to build a country founded on sustainability and shared prosperity.   
The academic community can explore priority areas for research that will deepen understanding of key challenges to Canada’s future prosperity. They can also leverage the Scorecard to mobilize existing research that proposes solutions to challenges the Scorecard identifies.
All Canadians
Governments
Business sector
Non-profit sector & labour
Academic community