By Kevin Strain

The world needs more Canada.

In times of geopolitical turmoil, the world would benefit by emulating Canadian values of humbleness, politeness, collaboration, acceptance, and inclusion mixed with a nice bit of determination. These values have created the best country I know. At the same time, we must commit to bolder aspirations. We need to urgently embrace the value Canada can create at home and abroad to build a more prosperous and globally secure society. And we need to keep our focus on achieving these aspirations, despite the challenges we face in the short term.

Every Canadian I talk to truly feels that we are at a critical moment in our history and the need for change has never been greater. The most profound change needs to be in our mindset. We need to be more ambitious about what we can accomplish and open fresh pathways for business and government to work together to win in the emerging reality we face. The good news is, from corporate Canada to governments at all levels — we’ve never been more united.

Modest by nature, it is time to act bolder to create more Canadian champions on the global stage. We have so many great strengths to build from: the world’s second most valuable natural resources, a stable and prosperous financial sector, a diverse and globally minded population, world-renowned researchers and engineers and a leadership position in emerging areas like

AI and machine learning.

It’s time for us to be humbly confident as well as driven and unleash our full capabilities. It’s time for us to dare to be more.

Our world-leading financial expertise and trusted ways of doing business make us global champions. Toronto ranks alongside New York, London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai as global financial centres. Canada is home to some of the largest insurance and asset management companies,

pension funds, world-class banks

and we have deep talent across our full financial ecosystem. We should take great pride in it and assert our collective power on the global stage.

The world is at a turning point, with global trade dynamics shifting and traditional alliances being reshaped. The next few years will test our resilience — but they also offer a generational opportunity. Canada can emerge more competitive and prosperous if corporate Canada and our governments unite behind a bold, pro-growth, pro-business agenda, that drives innovation, investment and long-term economic strength. This means taking down barriers at home, fostering innovation, and building bridges to markets and cultures beyond our borders.

Sun Life is a Canadian champion

with a story that shows this can be done. Founded 160 years ago in Montreal, we have grown within and adapted to the world around us through numerous pivots and transformations. We were there through the Great Depression, two World Wars, and most recently we paid over $1 billion in COVID-related claims. Along the way we have financed innumerable projects that helped build Canada, from energy infrastructure to schools to courthouses and more recently, AI data centres.

That’s one dimension of Sun Life but there is another part of our story that is less well known and that is our global expansion over 130 years starting in 1895 that by the end of the 19th century included the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Philippines and India. Today over 85 per cent of our clients reside outside Canada and 70 per cent of our revenue comes from outside the country. We are important players in the U.S. and Asia while being proudly headquartered in Canada. We are proof of what Canadian champions can achieve when they commit to bold ambitions.

Here is what we at Sun Life have learned about growing in Canada and abroad:

First, purpose is our passport to success. The desire for health and prosperity is a universal need. Sun Life has been welcomed because we create value for all stakeholders, including our shareholders. The world is consistently changing and economies sometimes tremble but staying anchored on purpose gives a stronger platform to base strategic decisions.

Second, build your brand as you build your market. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s more about matchmaking, pairing Canadian industries with markets that align company strengths and market needs. Don’t enter markets where you have not invested time to understand the culture. Every market we operate in has its nuance and characteristics that influence how we do business.

Third, build relationships with governments and other local stakeholders: not only do they set the rules, but they can also be champions and partners for your aspirations. We are there to create value, not impose values. That’s as true in China and India as it is in Canada in provinces and territories that differ from coast to coast to coast. Local stakeholders really care about why you are there … your purpose.

Fourth, play to win. Understand what it takes to be successful and commit to play to win versus hoping not to lose. Bring global expertise and thinking to drive local impacts.

And when considering risks, prepare for hurricanes, so you can master the storms. The international waters may be choppy, but by staying focused on the long-term and not giving in to emotions about the immediate moments, we can be Canada Strong but also work to achieve mutual benefits in all markets.

My hope is that governments at all levels view corporate Canada as a ready and willing partner, who wants to work with them on behalf of all Canadians. We crave this. We want to solve big challenges together. There really is no other path forward.

As we just celebrated a “uniting” Canada Day, my hope is that business leaders and governments across the country come together with a shared commitment: to build a stronger and more ambitious Canada.

When we align around a common purpose, we unlock the full potential of our people, our economy and our role in the world. Canada can be a global force — driving innovation and prosperity — not just for ourselves, but for the world we help shape. Our future is limited only by what we believe is possible.  Let’s dare to win.

It’s time: the world needs a more ambitious Canada.

Kevin Strain is the CEO of Sun Life