Let’s build back better.
As Canada comes out of the COVID crisis, governments and the private sector will turn their attention to building a long-term economic recovery. Let’s make that recovery resilient by building back better.
Building back better means supporting the jobs, infrastructure and growth that will keep Canada competitive in the fast-growing global clean economy.
The Task Force for a Resilient Recovery is an independent group of Canadian finance, policy and sustainability leaders determined to make sure Canada seizes this opportunity.
Get to know our insights and recommendations for government.
Insights & recommendations
View the final report from the Task Force along with analysis submitted by its research partners and peers.
Final Report: Bridge to the Future
Sep 16, 2020
In its final report, the Task Force for a Resilient Recovery calls for 5 bold moves, supported by $55.4 billion in investments, to kickstart Canada’s long-term economic recovery from COVID-19.
Disponible en français.
Reflections on the Government’s Direction
Sep 25, 2020
Task Force members, Richard Florizone and Bruce Lourie, reflect on the Speech from the Throne and what it signals for a resilient economic recovery after covid-19.
Infograph: A Look at Canada’s Peers
Sep 16, 2020
This infograph breaks down the major green recovery investments being made by some of Canada’s peers.
Official Partner Submission:
Resilient Home Retrofits Program
By: Insurance Bureau of Canada
This submission proposes a home retrofits program designed to prepare Canadians for increasing extreme weather events while generating multiple economic benefits.
Official Partner Submission:
Resilient Recovery Framework
By: Smart Prosperity Institute
The Resilient Recovery Framework tool assesses potential government recovery measures against nine criteria related to environment, economy and equity.
Partner Analysis: Making a green recovery inclusive for all Canadians
Sep 11, 2020
By: Smart Prosperity Institute
Nine policy ideas that can serve all three goals of creating jobs, investing in a cleaner future, and supporting greater inclusivity.
From Our Peers: Ensuring a Just Recovery for Canada
Sep 2020
By: Climate Action Network
The Task Force’s focus is primarily on a recovery that is good for the economy and good for the environment. Other important priorities, like equity and inclusiveness, also deserve attention in Canada’s response.
Partner Analysis: Unique recovery opportunities for Canada
Sep 11, 2020
By: Jeremy Oppenheim & Mark Meldrum
If the Task Force recommendations were to narrow down on specific technology opportunities for Canada, here’s what we believe they would be.
Partner Analysis: Public investments in a green recovery – what steps can Canada take?
Aug 31, 2020
By: Mariana Mazzucato et al.
Identifying solutions for funding Canada’s recovery by analyzing the historical mix of investors in green energy projects.
Partner Analysis: Don’t Let Green Recovery Become a Political Hot Potato
Aug 24, 2020
By: Richard Florizone (Chair)
Around the word, politicians of all stripes are advancing green recovery plans. Let’s not allow politics to get in the way of a smart move for Canada.
Partner Analysis: Uncharted Waters, But Not Lost at Sea
Jun 8, 2020
By: IISD
Canada’s leaders will face increasing scrutiny as to how much stimulus money is going where, and to what extent it will help us build back better.
Partner Analysis: Building Back Better – A Roadmap to the Canada We Want
Jun 3, 2020
By: Corporate Knights
We can create quality jobs and own part of the low-carbon podium if we invest now with boldness and creativity.
Partner Analysis: Carbon pricing isn’t enough to drive a green recovery
Jun 2, 2020
By: Smart Prosperity Institute
We are not fighting climate change in normal times, we are trying to advance a net-zero transition during an economic meltdown.
Partner Analysis: Will Canada Lead, Follow, or Be Left Behind?
Jun 2, 2020
By: IISD
The IMF, World Bank, leading economists, and some of the world’s biggest companies and investors are adding their support for a green recovery.
Partner Analysis: POLL – Canadians hoping for a ‘cleaner recovery’
May 28, 2020
By: Clean Energy Canada
Current economic and health challenges have done little or nothing to diminish support for infrastructure changes that will create a cleaner economy.
Expert Advisor: 12 Design Principles for Winning the Peace
May 28, 2020
By: Jeremy Oppenheim
Expert Advisor Jeremy Oppenheim lays out 12 design principles for post-COVID recovery.
Partner Analysis: Will high levels of public debt come back to haunt us?
May 27, 2020
By: IISD
Examining how stimulus spending is actually financed and what we’re seeing in stimulus packages in Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
Partner Analysis: Building back better with nature-based climate solutions
May 20, 2020
By: Corporate Knights
For as little as 0.1% of GDP, Canada can rejuvenate its forest and farm ecosystems while creating thousands of jobs.
Partner Analysis: An energy-efficient economic recovery in 3 steps
May 13, 2020
By: Efficiency Canada
Here is a practical and ambitious three-stage plan to make energy efficiency a core part of Canada’s economic recovery strategy.
Partner Analysis: Pilot projects are a smart bet for stimulus dollars
May 13, 2020
By: Smart Prosperity Institute
Three ideas for how government stimulus dollars could target clean technology pilot projects.
Partner Analysis: Building back better by greening industry
May 13, 2020
By: Corporate Knights
Green recovery policies should accelerate the circular economy, electrify light industry and decarbonize heavy industry.
Partner Analysis: Not Your Typical Recession
May 8, 2020
By: Smart Prosperity Institute
The April Labour Force Survey confirms this economic downturn is unlike anything we have ever seen in Canada.
Partner Analysis: Building Back Better Makes Good Economic Sense
May 4, 2020
By: IISD
A major new international study finds that “recovery packages that seek synergies between climate and economic goals have better prospects for increasing national wealth.”
Meet the members of the Task Force.
Barbara Zvan was the Chief Risk & Strategy Officer for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP). Under Barbara’s leadership, the Strategy & Risk team supported the plan’s sponsors in weighing plan design decisions, its board in setting appropriate benchmarks and risk tolerances, and its Investment division in designing a long-horizon total fund strategy. She crafted OTPP’s responsible investing and climate risk management strategy and directed its enterprise and operational risk management approach. After nearly 25 years, Barb left OTPP in 2020 to pursue new opportunities.
Bruce is a best-selling author, policy expert, social entrepreneur and award-winning global sustainability leader. In addition to President of the Ivey Foundation, he is a Senior Fellow of the Smith School of Business and Adjunct Professor of the School of Policy Studies, at Queen’s University, and guest lecturer at the Said Business School Social Finance Program, University of Oxford. Bruce initiated the largest climate action in North America (phasingout coal in Ontario), and co-authored two books on plastics, toxins and human health including the international best-seller Slow Death by Rubber Duck.
IBC’s President and CEO since 2009, Don Forgeron has a successful track record of more than 25 years in the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. He has a strong foundation in the public and private sectors, having worked for Alberta’s Department of Environment and the National Research Council in Nova Scotia early in his career.
Gerald has successfully led Canadian and global organizations in the public and private sectors for 20 years. With experience on a multitude of public policy and geopolitical issues, he has developed deep expertise on climate change, trade, energy, sustainable finance, and artificial intelligence and advises Eurasia Group clients across these areas. As the principal secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from 2015-2019, Gerald was responsible for providing executive direction on the development, implementation, and communication of the government’s agenda.
Helen Mountford is the Vice President for Climate and Economics at WRI. The Climate team helps policymakers, businesses and civil society in countries around the world and through international collaboration to identify and advance the deep structural shifts needed to successfully address climate change. The Economics team supports work across WRI by integrating an economics approach as appropriate to strengthen the underlying analysis and impact of our work. Helen is also Program Director for the New Climate Economy (NCE) project, the flagship initiative of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate that provides independent and authoritative evidence on actions which can both strengthen economic performance and reduce the risk of dangerous climate change.
James Meadowcroft is a Professor in both the School of Public Policy and Administration and in the Department of Political Science. He has a BA in Political Science from McGill University, and a Doctorate from the University of Oxford. His research is focused on the ways in which governments are adjusting their practices and policies in order to cope with the emergence of problems of the environment and sustainable development.
Jean Paul (JP) Gladu served as the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) from September 2012 until April 2020. Anishinaabe from Thunder Bay, JP is a member of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek located on the eastern shores of Lake Nipigon, Ontario. JP completed a forestry technician diploma in 1993, obtained an undergraduate degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University in 2000, holds an Executive MBA from Queens University and the ICD.D from Rotman School of Management University of Toronto. JP has over 25 years of experience in the natural resource sector.
Merran is a fellow at Simon Fraser University and the founder and executive director of Clean Energy Canada, a leading think tank advancing clean energy and climate solutions. For most of her career, she has worked to unite industry, government and civil society organizations to solve pressing social and ecological challenges. Her leadership in the landmark Great Bear Rainforest conservation agreement helped ensure the protection of thousands of kilometres of coastal ecosystem. Merran is a Canadian representative on the International Clean Energy Ambassador Corps, and has recently been appointed co-chair of the B.C. government’s Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council.
With over 36 years of experience in the public sector, Michael Horgan provides clients with strategic advice on the financial sector and on the Canadian and international economies. In addition, he has expertise on Aboriginal, energy and environmental issues. Prior to joining Bennett Jones, Michael held several high-level positions, including Deputy Minister of Finance, Government of Canada; Executive Director for the Canadian, Irish and Caribbean Constituency, International Monetary Fund; Deputy Minister of the Environment and Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Government of Canada.
Mitchell Davidson is the Executive Director of the StrategyCorp Institute of Public Policy and Economy, a new venture designed to contribute to thought leadership on important public policy issues in Ontario and Canada. Mitchell started his career in Ontario politics for nearly six years, culminating as Executive Director of Policy to the Premier of Ontario. Prior to that, Mitchell was the policy lead and co-author of both recent Ontario PC Party Platforms. Mitchell also serves as a visiting lecturer at the University of Waterloo’s Master of Public Service Program and is an Expert Adviser to Ryerson University’s Leadership Lab and is a Global Fellow with the Wilson Center’s Canada Institute.
Mira Oreck is a strategic leader with experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors in both Canada and the United States. Over the past 15 years, she has served in leadership positions with national organizations providing policy, communications and public engagement expertise. Mira has worked closely with many senior political leaders, including the current premier of British Columbia and the former mayor of Vancouver. Mira holds a B.A. in Sociology and Women’s Studies (McGill University) and an M.Sc. in Urban Policy (The New School). Mira is the President of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, a proud parent and an engaged community member.
Dr. Richard Florizone is IISD’s new President and CEO. Part scientist, part strategist, he comes to this organization with a strong track record of bringing the public and private sectors together to achieve complex goals. With a reputation for collaborative leadership, Richard is a firm believer in the power of partnership to build institutions and communities that are intelligent, inspiring and inclusive.
Stewart Elgie is a professor of law and economics at the University of Ottawa, and director of the University’s interdisciplinary Environment Institute. He received his Masters of Law from Harvard, and his doctorate (J.S.D.) from Yale. He is also the founder and chair of Smart Prosperity Institute (formerly Sustainable Prosperity), Canada’s premiere green economy think tank and policy-research network. His research involves environmental and economic sustainability, with a particular focus in recent years on market-based approaches.More information
Click here for a backgrounder document with more information on the Task Force.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Eric Campbell
Task Force for a Resilient Recovery
eric@smartprosperity.ca