We connect problem-solvers to tackle the complex challenges at the heart of environment, economy and society

Together, we’re working to prove that innovation for people, nature, and the economy is possible

Our Vision

is a strong and inclusive Canadian economy that thrives within nature’s limits.

Our Mission

is to harness the power of collaboration to generate solutions for a strong and sustainable economy.

Today, Canadians, and particularly young adults, have serious doubts about whether complex and often polarized sustainability challenges can be solved at all. Fears about housing and affordability, food security, pollution, and the impacts of climate change are more acute than ever before. But optimism is in short supply.

We work at the intersection of these issues, and on changing the systems that underpin them, to bend the curve toward progress. We believe a future that is progressively better for people’s lives is worth solving for – and we believe that future is possible.

People sunbathing in the Park

A vision shared and powered by the Smart Prosperity Institute

In 2020, the Smart Prosperity Institute and Generate Canada officially allied our energy and talent in recognition of our shared vision for a strong and inclusive Canadian economy that thrives within nature’s limits.

The Smart Prosperity Institute’s world-leading research and policy expertise across diverse fields–including carbon markets, natural climate solutions, sustainable agriculture, conservation finance, affordable housing, and workforce development–helps to inform and achieve Generate Canada’s mission to generate actionable solutions. At the same time, by engaging in our Solution Spaces alongside problem-solvers from industry, governments and civil society, Smart Prosperity gleans critical insights that can only come from working at the frontlines. Our partnership creates a “virtuous circle” that empowers us to accomplish more together than we could alone.

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We believe in the power of human ingenuity
to solve complex problems

We are a Canada-wide team of industry leaders and practitioners, academic researchers and policy experts, highly-trained convenors, facilitators, and program designers. What do we have in common? We’re as clear-eyed about the complex sustainability challenges of our time as we are committed to the conviction that significant change is possible.

Paul Shorthouse

Managing Director, Circular Construction Canada

What I Have To Say >

The whole is greater than the individual parts. That’s what inspires me about the power of Generate Canada… the synergies that come from connecting across our various solution spaces.

Marianne Lépinoit

Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer, Polystyvert Inc.

What I Have To Say >

Joining Generate Canada’s Board offers an opportunity to apply my expertise in strategic finance, growth management, and circular economy to advancing its mission of developing innovative, sustainable solutions.

Cher Mereweather

Managing Director, Canada Plastics Pact

What I Have To Say >

I’m here because the work we do everyday, has real tangible impact.

Hon. Monte Solberg

Director
Principal at New West Public Affairs Inc.

What I Have To Say >

I love Generate Canada’s emphasis on collaboration and bottom-up practical solutions to our environmental challenges. I don’t see how we solve these difficult problems without an honest effort to engage every community and every sector of the economy, and that’s what Generate Canada aims to do.

Our guiding principles

Creating the space and conditions where the hard work of change can get done requires a deliberate and thoughtful approach. These principles guide how we work and make decisions.

Lead courageously

We provide unambiguous leadership on the tough sustainability issues where we are best positioned to shape outcomes. Our relentless focus on solutions that are good for both the economy and our environment means not shying away from challenging conversations or unconventional partners.

Create the space for radical collaboration

We foster collaboration and inclusivity to generate innovative solutions, respectfully surfacing divergent views and remaining vehemently non-ideological. We create the space where the best and most workable ideas can arise and get done.

Work from the evidence

We will draw on and generate credible evidence, from academic research and people’s lived experiences, to ensure our decisions and recommendations are balanced and well-informed.

Actively pursue JEDI and Reconciliation journeys

Achieving our vision requires an organization-wide commitment to two different, but related, journeys: JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and Reconciliation. We will build our internal and external capacity to make progress on both journeys with humility, respect, and a willingness to listen, learn, improve, and transform.

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Think and act on systems

We will focus our impact on driving systems-level change. By definition, this means steering away from band-aid fixes and pursuing interventions that challenge, rather than reinforce, the status quo.

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Our commitments to JEDI and Reconciliation

We can only achieve a strong, inclusive, and sustainable Canadian economy by embracing, internalizing and acting on the principles of JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) and Reconciliation. We recognize that this requires an organization-wide commitment to two different, but related, journeys.

Read Our Commitment

Find your space in the solution

Our Solution Space teams, advisory councils, platforms, and partnerships are all custom designed to address the specific problems we are working to solve. We invite you to learn more, get inspired, and consider what role you or your organization can play in solving these challengeswhether with us or with others.

Explore Solution Spaces