What's Holding us Back? A Candid Look at Productivity, Policy, & Tech

​For our third event in the Tech Thursday Ottawa series, we’re tackling a pressing national issue: Is there a productivity crisis in Canada?

​In 2024, the Bank of Canada broke the glass on what it called Canada’s deepening productivity challenges—warning that our lagging output per worker threatens long-term growth, competitiveness, and living standards. But what does this mean in real terms? For tech? For capital? For policy?

​This panel will bring together voices from government, venture, and industry to explore the root causes and what can actually be done about it. Is it a question of innovation? Talent? Regulation? Or all of the above?

​We’re excited to welcome:

• ​Adriana Vega, VP of Government Affairs at CVCA – bringing a policy and capital markets lens to the issue

• ​Hendrik Brakel, Director at Sussex Strategy Group

• ​Ruwan Hapuarachchi, Managing Director, BP&M Consulting

• ​Moderated by: Dr. Paul Newton, Master Storyteller and Entrepreneur

​Tech Thursday is a space for real conversations—no sales, no fluff. Just smart people talking about what actually matters in tech and business, especially for those building in Canada.