In each episode of Canada’s Economy, Explained, experts from the Business Data Lab will share straightforward analysis on the trends that are shaping Canada’s economic and business landscapes, from trade to inflation to productivity.
Meet Your HostMarwa Abdou, Senior Research Director, BDL |
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Deloitte Canada Chief Economist Dawn Desjardins joins the podcast to break down their 2025 forecast, “Calm Before the Storm.” She explains how falling interest rates and household savings are holding the economy steady—but warns that looming U.S. tariffs, declining immigration, and global uncertainty could push Canada into a brief recession. A 25% tariff could cost Canadians $2,000 a year and trigger a 0.8% GDP contraction. Desjardins believes the impact will be sharp but short. “We will get to a new status quo,” she says in the episode.
Resources:
Guest:
Dawn Desjardins, Chief Economist, Deloitte Canada
Former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of State Dr. Chad Bown joins Marwa Abdou to explain how new U.S. tariffs threaten Canada’s supply chains, businesses, and workers. He shares why retaliation could backfire and why diversification is easier said than done.
Resources:
Carte du commerce Canada-États-Unis
Trade Talks Podcast
Chad Bown Website
Guest:
Dr. Chad Bown, Reginald Jones Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics; Host, Trade Talks podcast
This episode explores Canada’s gender gap in entrepreneurship with Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO of BDC, tackling the systemic barriers women face—especially in accessing capital. Drawing from BDL’s new report, Women Entrepreneurs: Canada’s Biggest Missed Business Opportunity, the discussion reveals why women still own just 18% of Canadian businesses despite a $2 billion government push to double that by 2025. Hudon shares how initiatives like the BDC’s $500 million Thrive platform are driving change.
Resources:
Women Entrepreneurs: Canada’s Biggest Missed Business Opportunity
Guest:
Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO, BDC
U.S. tariffs are disrupting Canada’s $1.3 trillion trade relationship, straining supply chains and creating uncertainty for businesses. Mairead Lavery, former President and CEO of Export Development Canada (EDC), explains how tariffs drive up costs and hit small businesses the hardest.
Resources:
Partners in Prosperity Report
Canada-US Trade Tracker
Guest:
Mairead Lavery, Former President and CEO of Export Development Canada (EDC)
What’s the big deal about productivity? And how can businesses play a role in changing its course? In this episode, host Marwa Abdou offers a crash course on Canada’s productivity with additional insights from Andrew DiCapua. Their discussion covers how generative AI, operational efficiency and innovation can all help Canadian businesses address productivity challenges and secure long-term growth.
Resources:
Key reports: Prompting Productivity and Business Insights Quarterly
Reports and tools: businessdatalab.ca
Guest:
Andrew DiCapua, Principal Economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce
In this episode, host Marwa Abdou, alongside guests Stephen Tapp and Patrick Gill, discuss eight major economic predictions for Canada in 2025. These predictions cover affordability challenges, labour market shifts, trade uncertainties, and more.
Resources:
Canada-US Trade Tracker
Prompting Productivity Report
Guests:
Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist and SVP, Research, Data and Analytics
Patrick Gill, Senior Director, Operations and Partnerships, BDL
Welcome to The Business Data Lab Podcast: Canada’s Economy, Explained. An initiative of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Hosted by Senior Research Director Marwa Abdou, this podcast features insightful discussions with economists and business leaders. Listen in for deep, expert analysis of Canada’s top economic trends to help you make sense of the numbers.
Host:
Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director
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