Project Productivity is a multi-year initiative from the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) focused on one of Canada’s biggest long-term economic challenges: weak productivity growth.
For years, policymakers and business leaders have discussed the symptoms of low productivity, from weak investment and regulatory complexity to too few firms scaling to compete globally. Less attention has been paid to the practical steps needed to help people and businesses make better use of their time, skills, and capital.
Productivity growth is driven by innovation, investment, and the ability of firms to adapt and grow. Public policy plays an important role in shaping these outcomes.
Through Project Productivity, BCBC is working with members, policymakers, educators, and other partners to:
Strengthen public understanding of productivity
Advance practical, evidence-based policy solutions
Foster dialogue and collaboration on productivity growth
By working together, we can strengthen investment, support business growth, and improve long-term economic performance in B.C. and across Canada.
What is Productivity, Really?
Productivity is not a topic that comes up often in everyday conversation, but it plays a central role in shaping living standards, wages, business growth, and the quality of public services we receive. In fact, economists often point to productivity growth as one of the most important drivers of long-term prosperity.
Put simply, productivity measures how much the economy produces for every hour worked. It reflects how effectively people, businesses, and organizations use their time, skills, technology, and capital.
Productivity growth happens when people and businesses find ways to produce more with the same resources. A mechanic with better tools can repair more vehicles. A nurse with better systems can spend more time with patients.
These improvements may seem small, but they add up. Over time, higher productivity supports stronger wages, growing businesses, better public services, and a more prosperous economy.
Canada's Productivity Problem
Canada’s labour productivity growth has lagged behind that of other advanced economies over the past two decades. While countries such as the United States have steadily increased output per hour worked, Canada’s gains have been more modest, even flat over the past few years, contributing to a widening productivity gap and weaker growth in living standards over time.
Labour Productivity Across Advanced Economies
Learn, Collaborate, and Join the Conversation.
Project Productivity delivers content through these three streams
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Through research reports, blogs, op-eds, and analysis, this stream examines the drivers of productivity and, what’s holding us back, and the practical policy solutions that will make a difference.
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These half-day forums bring together leaders from business, academia, non-profits, and government to examine productivity challenges within specific sectors and policy areas. Each session is designed to surface barriers, share real-world experience, and identify opportunities to strengthen productivity.
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This stream includes educational products, including communication campaigns, video series, and digital content that translates complex ideas into accessible narratives that broaden public understanding and keep productivity central to economic conversations.
Latest Insights from Project Productivity
Get Involved
Become a Productivity Partner
We’re looking for partners who share our long-term vision and understand that meaningful policy change takes time. Project Productivity is built for lasting impact, supported by patient capital so we have the time, focus, and expertise to do this work well and show real progress.
Our founding partner, Ryan Peterson, has committed $2 million over 10 years to launch the project, hire a director, and kick-start the research, campaigns, and events that will move this work forward. We’re now inviting additional multi-year partners to help expand the project’s reach and deepen its impact.
As a Productivity Partner, your organization will be recognized across BCBC’s highest-profile platforms, including the Business Summit, other major events, our publications, and our digital channels. We’ll work with you to align the partnership with your priorities and make sure it delivers value and impact on both sides.
Thank you to our Productivity Partners
Founding Partner
Supporting Partner
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