Former Finance Minister Bill Morneau said he is concerned about the future of Canada, arguing the country has neglected to focus on economic growth.."So much time and energy was spent on finding ways to redistribute Canada's wealth that there was little attention given to the importance of increasing our collective prosperity," Morneau said in a keynote speech at the CD Howe Institute's annual director's dinner on Wednesday..Morneau, who was the finance minister for the Liberals from 2015 to 2020, said the Trudeau government has not focused on long-term economic growth, which suggests the country is in for difficult times in the years ahead.."There is no real sense of urgency in Ottawa about our lack of competitiveness," Morneau said. "It's like we're the proverbial frog in the pot, not realizing what happens to us as the heat gradually rises.".Morneau said the Liberal government focused on short-term political goals while refusing to address longer-term challenges. He lamented its decision not to implement the recommendations from the federal advisory council on economic growth, a group he convened in 2016.."The recommendations — even the excellent ones that could and should have been acted on — became politicized. And the net result is pretty predictable," he said..Morneau was critical of the government for rejecting his more "practical" suggestion on how to approach to pharmacare. He said his focus on finding a way to work within the current system and focus on filling in gaps in coverage and care was "drowned out by the impractical voices of advocates who wanted to see wholesale change."."It's baffling to me the government moved forward with new commitments on dental care while the pharmacare challenge remains unresolved.".Morneau expressed regret about not being able to get the provinces and territories to work collaboratively with the federal government on the issues of healthcare, business investments and energy..The former finance minister also brought up the conflict between the federal government and Alberta urging the prime minister to meet with outgoing Premier Jason Kenney's successor as soon as possible. He called the ideological differences "real," but not "insurmountable."."The prime minister and the new premier should sit down together, ideally without a room full of political staff, and try to develop a real working relationship, one based on personal trust. And then do it again, as often as it takes," he said. "It's in our national interest to do so, and it's in Alberta's interests, too."Morneau remarked further he'd like to see a permanent commission created that would focus on improving economic growth and a fiscal anchor to government spending, among other things."The bad news is that the years ahead will not be easy. The good news is that we're up to the challenge."
