Canada at a Crossroads: Why Risk Aversion Could Cost Us the Future
Knowsys Group CEO, Mary-Ann Massad, has spent this year immersed in conversations at major conferences across Canada and the U.S. on the evolving ecosystems of Energy, Data Centres, Construction, and AI. What she’s seen is both inspiring – and deeply concerning.
While the U.S. races ahead, Canada is standing still.
Here are Mary-Ann’s observations:
Competitiveness Gap
Canada lags behind its U.S. counterparts in creating economic and governmental enablers to accelerate growth in these critical sectors. This isn’t just a gap—it’s a chasm.
The Risk Aversion Problem
Our cultural conservatism is holding us back. Risk aversion may feel safe, but in a world moving at lightning speed, it’s a recipe for stagnation—and potential economic decline.
AI Is Already Reshaping Energy
In the U.S., AI isn’t a buzzword—it’s embedded in core applications for water, electricity, and nuclear. Canada? We’re still talking about possibilities while others are executing.
Blind Spots in IT-IoT Interdependencies
Enterprises are failing to understand the critical interdependencies between IT and IoT. This oversight isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s an open door for cybersecurity breaches and lost optimization.
If Canada wants to lead—or even keep pace—we need bold action, collaborative innovation, and a willingness to embrace risk. The question is: Are we ready?
