It seems we are economic cowards, and it's not helping in a time of crisis ...
RBC chief executive says too much of Canada's economy put under 'bubble wrap'
CALGARY — The chief executive of the country's biggest bank says Canada needs to become less risk-averse if it is to prosper in the face of global trade upheaval.
"We bubble wrap way too many things in this country because we're afraid of making a mistake," Royal Bank of Canada boss Dave McKay told a Calgary Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday.
Trepidation at all levels of government has made for lengthy approval timelines for new projects, McKay said.
"Time costs money. Uncertainty costs money. Therefore, it's very difficult for us as a country to move forward on things with any degree of confidence and speed, and the rest of the world feels that," he said.
McKay said there have been a number of false starts on new major infrastructure projects, and that's caused companies to balk at putting up capital.
"You have a number of leadership teams that say, 'I can't invest a ton more energy, money and time into this if it's going to go down a rabbit hole," he said.
"So we need to move forward and get these things approved and then start securing the financing because it's there. It's just waiting for us to get out of our own way."
CALGARY — The chief executive of the country's biggest bank says Canada needs to become less risk-averse if it is to prosper in the face of global trade upheaval.
ca.finance.yahoo.com