In June 2025, Parliament passed the One Canadian Economy Act (Bill C-5), a sweeping piece of legislation designed to remove barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility while fast-tracking “Projects of National Interest” under the new Building Canada Act framework.
The law is both ambitious and disruptive. By streamlining the approval of large-scale projects and harmonizing provincial standards, the government aims to unlock long-stalled investments and eliminate the patchwork of rules that have historically slowed Canadian businesses.
For executive hiring and leadership strategy, the implications are profound.
Unifying Canada’s Economic Playing Field
For decades, Canadian companies have struggled under fragmented provincial rules. A product approved in Ontario might require separate certification in Alberta. Workers licensed in British Columbia often faced barriers to practice in Quebec. These inefficiencies suppressed mobility, discouraged scale, and slowed innovation.
The new Act changes that dynamic by enforcing an “equivalency” principle: if a good, service, or credential is legal in one province, it must be recognized across the country (McMillan Vantage). For leaders building national organizations, this unlocks strategic flexibility.
- Talent Access: Executives can now recruit from a wider pool of candidates without worrying about licensing delays.
- Operational Efficiency: National expansion becomes easier when compliance isn’t replicated twelve times.
- Strategic Mandates: Boards will expect leaders to capitalize on efficiencies faster than competitors.
The Rise of the “Projects of National Interest”
The other major pillar of the Act is the creation of Projects of National Interest. A new Major Projects Office will act as a single window to accelerate approvals. The goal is to push through infrastructure, energy, and technology initiatives critical to Canada’s resilience, sovereignty, and growth.
For executives, this is a leadership test:
- Complex Project Management: Delivering multi-billion-dollar projects across jurisdictions demands C-suite leaders with cross-sector fluency.
- Stakeholder Alignment: CEOs and boards will need leaders who can navigate federal, provincial, Indigenous, and community interests.
- Mission Orientation: The government’s emphasis on “nation-building” elevates the need for leaders who can align corporate strategy with public purpose.
Risks and Challenges Leaders Must Anticipate
The Act is not without controversy. Critics warn that harmonizing standards could water down protections, invite legal challenges, and spark provincial backlash (Canadian Affairs). For executives, this creates risk on multiple fronts:
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Even as the law promises simplification, provincial resistance could lead to uneven adoption.
- Reputational Risk: Leaders must tread carefully between exploiting new freedoms and respecting local expectations.
- Legal Exposure: Companies that move too quickly may face lawsuits if equivalency is challenged.
This makes adaptability and foresight central leadership traits.
Executive Profiles in Demand
The new economic architecture demands a new breed of leaders:
- Integration-Minded CEOs: Capable of harmonizing operations across jurisdictions.
- Policy-Literate Executives: Comfortable reading legislation, engaging regulators, and shaping compliance strategy.
- Infrastructure & ESG Strategists: Leaders who can deliver nation-building projects while meeting environmental, social, and governance expectations.
- Resilient Operators: Executives who can seize opportunity without overextending amid regulatory flux.
In short, the Act accelerates the shift toward 4.0 leadership — executives who combine strategic insight, stakeholder empathy, and operational dexterity.
Moving Forward
The One Canadian Economy Act is a turning point. For organizations, it reduces friction and expands opportunity. For leaders, it raises the bar. Those who can harness new freedoms responsibly, align with national priorities, and execute at scale will define the next era of Canadian business.
At Perry-Martel International, we see this law as more than policy — it’s a blueprint for the kind of leaders Canada will need to thrive.
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