Canadian Productivity an embarrassment

A Globe and Mail article reports on Statscan findings on Canadian Productivity:

Canada's productivity, defined as output as a percentage of hours, has been a source of embarrassment in recent years. On average, Canada's productivity growth has hovered just above zero since 2000. The U.S., on the other hand, has seen productivity grow by an average of 3.8 per cent since the start of the decade.

“Foreign-controlled plants are more productive than domestic-controlled plants in general,” Statscan said. “This is because foreign-controlled plants and firms are also more innovative, more technologically advanced, and more likely to perform research and development.”

I've believed this for quite a few years. Canadian wealth is driven by an abudance of natural resources; not innovation. The Canadian Government needs to support R&D more; support their Education system more.

We also have a very embarrassing record in sport. Just look at Australia; a country with less people than ours; and how well they do in sports. Again, it's a lack of money by the Canadian government into sports development. As a side effect, just imagine how much money could be saved in health care, by encouraging people to be more active. Bring back the Participaction ads. Put more money into encouraging sports.