Canada is Losing Jobs, Investment, and Stability — Voters Must Take This Election Seriously

On Friday, Statistics Canada reported that our country lost 33,000 jobs in September. Even more concerning, 48,000 of those losses were in the private sector — mostly full-time jobs. At the same time, the U.S. economy added 228,000 new jobs.

That contrast is more than just economic trivia. It tells a larger story — one of two countries moving in very different directions.

Some are quick to point fingers at U.S. trade policy or global uncertainty. But let’s be honest: the job losses we’re seeing in Canada have very little to do with Donald Trump, U.S. tariffs, or anything happening outside our borders. It’s too soon.

This is about us. About how we manage our economy, our tax system, our immigration levels, our infrastructure, and our approach to business investment.

When you strip away the noise, here’s the question that matters: is your life better today than it was nine years ago?

For many Canadians, the answer is no.

The cost of living has risen across the board. According to Statistics Canada, grocery prices are up over 20% in just the past few years. Gas, electricity, and home heating bills have climbed steadily. Rent is up. Mortgage rates are crushing first-time buyers.

Crime has become a daily concern in cities like Winnipeg. Violent crime rates are at levels not seen since 2007. The justice system is overwhelmed, and repeat offenders are cycling in and out of custody.

Healthcare remains stuck in crisis. Emergency departments are closing, and wait times are stretching longer. The shortage of doctors and nurses is no longer a short-term issue — it’s become structural.

Our immigration policy has also outpaced our ability to house and support new arrivals. In 2023, Canada accepted over 1.2 million people, including temporary residents. Yet housing starts have not kept pace. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says we need an additional 3.5 million homes by 2030 just to restore some measure of affordability. We’re nowhere close.

At the same time, capital investment is drying up. Major companies — including Mark Carney’s own Brookfield Asset Management — have shifted headquarters out of Canada. Business leaders cite a lack of predictability, excessive regulation, and uncompetitive tax policies as reasons for choosing other markets.

These aren't partisan talking points. They're measurable trends.

The economic slowdown we’re facing isn't a result of external forces. It’s the consequence of internal decisions — years of policy choices that have made it harder to grow businesses, invest in infrastructure, or plan for the future.

Yes, global factors matter. But it’s a mistake to blame U.S. tariffs — which were applied broadly to all countries — for Canada’s poor private sector performance. The numbers speak for themselves: while the U.S. added nearly a quarter-million jobs in September, Canada lost tens of thousands. If tariffs were the cause, the U.S. wouldn’t be growing.

The core problem is that we've made it too expensive, too complicated, and too uncertain to do business in this country. We’ve burdened industry with taxes and red tape. We’ve added costs under the banner of climate policy, without balancing competitiveness.

Meanwhile, public spending continues at a pace that isn’t sustainable. More Canadians than ever now rely on food banks — over 2 million visits were recorded in a single month, according to Food Banks Canada. That’s not about a lack of compassion or generosity. It’s a sign that working Canadians are falling through the cracks.

So again, ask yourself — are you better off than you were nine years ago?

If you are, then more of the same might make sense. But if you're one of the millions struggling with rising costs, stretched services, or growing insecurity, then it's time to treat this election as what it is: a turning point.

We are a country divided — urban and rural, working class and government class, taxpayers and policymakers. The cracks are showing. Trust in institutions is eroding. The gap between government priorities and everyday reality is widening. And if we keep voting the same way, we’ll keep getting the same results.

This election matters. It’s not about personalities or party loyalty. It’s about deciding whether we want to continue down this path — or correct course before it’s too late.

Vote with your eyes open. Vote based on what you see, not what you're told. Because if we don’t take this election seriously, the consequences won’t just be political — they’ll be economic, social, and generational.