Large Enterprises Lead the Way Toward More and Better Jobs for Canadians: BCNI Study

June 25, 1997

The process of economic restructuring has been painful, but it has produced and will continue to produce more and better jobs for Canadians, the Business Council on National Issues concludes in a major study. “The creation of sustainable, high-quality employment has been driven by private-sector initiative and investment, not by government make-work programs. And within the private sector, large and small businesses are playing essential and complementary roles that must be understood if we wish to accelerate the pace of job creation.”

Based in part on an extensive survey of the BCNI’s member chief executives, the study acknowledges pervasive public skepticism of large corporations, but notes that many of their key contributions are not widely recognized. These include lead roles in boosting Canadian competitiveness, innovation and exports; investing in employees and young people; providing vital support to small businesses and to Canadian communities; bringing financial security to millions of Canadian families; and helping to reduce government deficits.

The study says a goal the BCNI adopted in 1992 — that of making Canada the best performing economy among the G-7 countries by the year 2000 — is within reach, as long as governments accept that neither sustainable growth nor long-term job creation can be driven successfully by increased public spending.

A non-partisan and not-for-profit organization, the Council’s membership is composed of the chief executive officers of 150 leading Canadian corporations. These companies represent every major sector of the Canadian economy, and are responsible for a significant majority of Canada’s private-sector investment, exports, training, and research and development. The Council’s Chairman is A. L. Flood, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CIBC, and its President and Chief Executive is Thomas d’Aquino.