NATION-BUILDING PROJECT PROPOSAL
Canada's Missing Major Project: A National Care Economy Strategy
ABOUT THE PROPOSAL
Canada treats roads, pipelines, ports, and power systems as nation-building infrastructure but ignores the systems that allow people to go to work in the first place.
Childcare, elder care, home care, mental health supports, disability services, and caregiving supports are economic infrastructure. Without them, Canada’s workforce, productivity, and economic growth are at risk.
This proposal makes the case for recognizing a National Care Economy Strategy as a nation-building project under the Major Projects Office framework.
On May 19, 2026, the Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce submitted the proposal to the Major Projects Office for consideration and approval.
READ THE FULL REPORT
Download the complete report below, share with your network, and join the conversation.
Care Infrastructure is Economic Infrastructure
This is not just a social policy conversation; it is an economic strategy conversation.
Care systems determine:
- whether parents can work,
- whether seniors can age safely,
- whether caregivers stay attached to the workforce,
- and whether Canada has the labour force needed to sustain economic growth.
Without care infrastructure, other infrastructure investments become less effective.
The care economy is already one of Canada’s largest economic sectors but it is underfunded and understaffed.
This is not a fringe issue.
- Healthcare and social services already employ roughly one in four Canadian workers.
- Paid care work contributes approximately 12% of Canada’s GDP.
- Unpaid care work may be worth between $517 billion and $860 billion annually.
Canada’s population is aging rapidly while care systems are already stretched beyond capacity.
- Canadians aged 85+ are projected to more than triple by 2075.
- Ontario alone is projected to need more than 50,000 additional PSWs and 33,000 nurses by 2032.
This is not a future problem. It is already affecting families, healthcare systems, and workforce participation today.
Women are carrying the hidden economic burden
Women perform the majority of both paid and unpaid care work in Canada.
Caregiving responsibilities often result in:
- reduced work hours,
- lower lifetime earnings,
- pension losses,
- burnout,
- and financial insecurity.
Investing in care creates jobs and economic growth
Care investments are not just expenditures; they generate measurable economic returns.
The proposal's initial costing estimates:
- more than one million jobs could be created through care economy investments,
- and approximately 30% of investments could be recouped through increased tax revenue.
International evidence also shows care investments generate strong employment growth while increasing workforce participation.
DOWNLOAD, SHARE, AND DISCUSS THE REPORT