It’s the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship final between the United States and Canada. The score is tied 2-2 in sudden-death overtime. The face-off is in the American end between American player (and Toronto Maple Leafs’ Captain) Auston Matthews and Canadian player (and Edmonton Oilers’ Captain) Connor McDavid.
Announcer: “McDavid won that one…and got the shot off…that was a close one…puck goes around the net…picked up by (Canadian player and Toronto Maple Leaf) Mitch Marner…Marner feeds it to McDavid out front…he shoots…he SCORES! Connor McDavid wins it for Canada!”
It’s the Canadian way
Few Canadians will soon forget where they were and how they felt on that night this past February when Connor McDavid “roofed” it past American (and Winnipeg Jets’ goalie) Connor Hellebuyck to deliver an exhilarating overtime win over their American opponents after a tense and, at times, fraught tournament. At a moment when Canada’s national spirit had been ignited and tensions were high, it felt as if the entire nation held their collective breath as our pride hung in the balance. Despite those powerful emotions, despite what was on the line, our players played the way Canadians play – calmly, smartly, consistently, patiently, disciplined, and controlled. And then, poof, magic happened. Without fanfare, and in his indelibly Canadian way, the humble and soft-spoken McDavid seized the opportunity – and created another golden moment in our collective Canadian hockey and national history. It wasn’t just a game – it was a demonstration of the “Canadian way” to play and to win.
Our golden moment: Canada has the puck on its stick
Canada is a great country in innumerable ways. By median net worth per capita we are one of the wealthiest nations in the world,1 and many of our industries are the envy of the world. Most surveys show that we are widely admired around the globe and are seen as one of the most desirable places to visit – not to mention immigrate and settle in.2 The number of “great things about Canada” is too long to list here, and few Canadians do not burst with pride when talking about this amazing and beautiful country.
But we also have challenges, some of which are uniquely Canadian, and others that are shared by many other developed and wealthy nations around the world. Recently, our country has come under the kind of existential strain that forces it to consider its present circumstances and what it will evolve to be in the future. Long-brewing challenges to the Canadian economy, from productivity loss, lagging innovation and falling investment, and more recently resource management and trade relations, have caused many to question what the country’s path forward can or should be.
The dialogue and the subsequent actions that come into and out of this historically important moment will shape this country’s path and our children’s future and are therefore critically important. We need to ensure that the process continues to be shaped by the “Canadian way” – well-considered, thoughtful, progressive, inclusionary, respectful and, most importantly, effective. This requires things that Canadians have in spades – competency, knowledge, drive, diligence, experience, and strong guiding values.
Team Canada gets going
Canadians are never ones to back down when the going gets tough, and recent events have sparked a surge of ideas and discussions around the country’s future and how to move forward, setting us up for exciting developments and growth ahead.
At moments like these, the “Canadian way” is already beginning to rise to the fore. Rather than knee-jerk reactions and misdirected efforts, we are open to new and revised pathways to tackle long-standing issues, considering actions that seemed improbable before. From inter-provincial trade barriers being broken down, to serious and sober thoughts about our energy-industrial complex, to new or revitalized trade relations, we are joining together to focus on what matters to and for all of us. From our politicians to the choices we are making individually every day, we are galvanizing to support and achieve what matters to us and what we believe in – and seizing our golden moment.
Team RBC is in your corner
With over a century of being in the business of helping Canadians achieve their personal, business, and corporate goals, RBC has survived and thrived through many challenges and crises – from economic downturns, to wars, to political upheavals. RBC is both a deeply trusted household name to Canadians and an international financial powerhouse entirely focused on helping our clients achieve their goals.
That experience and success over time provides our clients with the confidence that they can turn to us for help and guidance at any time. In tumultuous and confusing times, you can lean on RBC and your Investment Counsellor for the advice, guidance, skills, and capabilities to help you successfully navigate your business and personal financial affairs.
When it comes to expertise and insights, the RBC Economics and Thought Leadership site and its recently established Trade Hub, provide important articles, features, updates and thought leadership pieces to help you make sense of today’s economic and investment challenges and opportunities. For your specific needs, your Investment Counsellor can connect you to the robust RBC network to help assist you in achieving what matters most to you.
In times like these, it’s important to feel confident that you are dealing with the right team. As stewards of your wealth, we want you to know that you can lean on us to deliver the clear-sighted investment advice, expertise and insights that are the hallmarks of RBC PH&N Investment Counsel. Whether it’s to learn more about what’s happening in today’s economy (e.g., Counsel Views, featuring insights from our Chief Investment Strategist Tasneem Azim-Khan), or broader economic and investment market updates (e.g., #MacroMemo from industry thought leader and RBC Global Asset Management Chief Economist Eric Lascelles), we are always striving to better support our clients in achieving their goals.
That’s the Team RBC PH&N Investment Counsel way.
Sources:
- UBS Global Wealth Databook's list of countries by wealth per adult (USD) - Median and mean wealth per adult. UBS Group (2024).
- The most popular countries. You.gov (Q4 2024).
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