Led by the University of Calgary, the new initiative will use long-term social sciences and humanities research to develop economic policy and develop solutions to strengthen Canada’s productivity performance.

Participating in the partnership are six federal government partners – Bank of Canada; Finance Canada; Global Affairs Canada; Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; and Statistics Canada – and universities HEC Montréal, Memorial University, Western University, McMaster University and the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

It will also include non-governmental partners the Centre for the Study of Living Standards, the Alberta Centre for Labour Market Research and the Canadian AI Adoption Initiative.

The partnership is directed by Trevor Tombe, professor of economics at the University of Calgary and director of economic and fiscal policy at its School of Public Policy.

Tombe said: “Productivity is at the heart of nearly every economic challenge Canada faces today – from affordability and trade competitiveness to the sustainability of our public finances. This partnership is about turning world-class research into practical insight for decision-makers on a national scale.

“The University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy is bringing together a broad network of researchers and policy partners and creating a long-lasting platform whose impact can compound over time – strengthening prosperity in Canada not just next year, but for decades to come.”

The funding for the project is the first grant to be bestowed by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) through its pilot policy innovation partnership grants programme, which launched late last year and aims to establish long-term research programmes focusing on areas of importance to the country’s future.

Mélanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for Canada economic development for Quebec Regions, said: “Boosting Canada’s productivity requires bold ideas, strong partnerships and research that drives real‑world impact. This investment brings together leading experts from across the country and will generate the evidence and insight needed to shape smarter economic policy for the long term.”