When Ottawa talks about another pandemic-style relief package in response to Trump’s tariffs, I see good news and bad news. The good news? We’re recognizing the need to protect Canadians. The bad news? We’re reaching for the same old playbook—deficit spending, government handouts, and temporary fixes that don’t build anything lasting. Worse, there’s always the risk of wasting billions on fraudulent claims, just like during the pandemic.
Here’s a better idea: Instead of another bailout binge, why not seize this crisis as an opportunity? Let’s strengthen Canada’s economy for the long haul by extending Flow-Through Shares (FTS) to our tech startups and innovation-driven businesses.
Flow-Through Shares: A Proven, Canadian Innovation
Flow-Through Shares aren’t some pie-in-the-sky theory. They’re a Canadian success story—created 71 years ago to power the mining industry, then expanded to oil and gas, and later to renewables in 1996. They work because they leverage private capital—not taxpayer dollars. In 2024 alone, FTS raised over $1 billion for the mining sector.
Imagine bringing that power to our tech sector—an industry that already contributes $125.5 billion to Canada’s GDP, directly employs nearly a million Canadians, and generates just as many indirect jobs. That’s almost the combined economic weight of our mining and oil and gas sectors. Pretty impressive for an industry made up mostly of small to medium-sized firms.
Why Flow-Through Shares Matter Now
So, why FTS for tech? Because they can turn crisis into opportunity by:
Attracting Private Capital: Instead of begging for government funding, our startups can tap into private Canadian investment, reducing dependence on U.S. capital. Let’s keep our innovation—and our ownership—at home.
Driving Economic Diversification: We’ve seen the risks of over-relying on any one market. With FTS, we can channel capital into high-growth sectors—technology, life sciences, clean tech—building a resilient, knowledge-based economy.
Creating High-Value Jobs: Government subsidies are temporary. Investing in startups builds long-term, high-paying jobs. In 2025, Canadian tech jobs paid 54% more than the national average, and the sector outpaced the broader economy. Want more of that? FTS can deliver.
Reducing Public Debt: Unlike bailout packages that balloon the national debt, FTS bring in private dollars to fuel growth, leaving government funds for essential services.
The Alternative? More Debt, More Dependence
Let’s be clear: Ottawa’s pandemic-style relief package is a short-term Band-Aid. It props up businesses and jobs but does nothing to build long-term resilience. Subsidies, wage supports, and tax deferrals just kick the can down the road—leaving us with a growing debt burden and no plan to compete.
Instead of preparing Canadians for prolonged dependency, we should be equipping them with the tools to innovate, compete, and win. Extending Flow-Through Shares to our tech sector is how we do that.
A Call to Action for Policy Makers
If Ottawa wants to future-proof our economy, it must stop leaning on handouts and start pushing smart, investment-driven solutions. Flow-Through Shares for tech is a high-impact, low-cost fix that can:
Unleash billions in private investment.
Reduce reliance on government support.
Position Canada as a global leader in innovation.
As trade tensions rise and the world shifts to a knowledge economy, we can’t afford to sit still. We need made-in-Canada solutions like FTS. It’s time for Ottawa to lead—empowering Canadians to build a stronger, more independent economy.
At CanFlowThrough.com, we’re making sure politicians hear this message loud and clear. We’re building a movement to get FTS for tech on the national agenda, and we need your voice.
Join us at www.canflowthrough.com and let’s make Canada’s economy unstoppable.
