The promise and perils of nation-building projects

Getting swept up in political hype and hubris can lead to the wrong projects, poor priorities, and terrible outcomes.
The laudable goal of a Team Canada approach to accelerating nation-building infrastructure opens the risk that the federal government will buckle to unworthy pet projects, writes Matti Siemiatycki.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion
BY MATTI SIEMIATYCKI
October 8, 2025

“Make no little plans” is the classic invocation from the American architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham to dream big and be bold.

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Tuesdays: Innovation & Industry Newsletter

The policies, decisions, and people working on investment and regulation in the industry and innovation realm.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy

Trending Stories

MOST POPULAR

MORE Opinion

Canada’s climate change policies, programs can be more effective if we work with nature in addition to moving away from fossil fuels

opinionBY GREEN PARTY LEADER ELIZABETH MAY, LYNN JONES

Alberta Premier Smith has opened up a Pandora’s box of dangers arising from the referendum question which she may not control

opinionBY ERROL MENDES

The federal government has gone all-in on fossil fuels

opinionBY TIM GRAY

Women need better health care. A national framework can help deliver it

opinionBY MARGOT BURNELL, MARCIA CLARK, SARAH COOK

Now, more than ever, Canada must strengthen co-operation with Mexico to protect rights and sovereignty

opinionBY KATHY PRICE

RELATED STORIES

U.S. a ‘wildcard’ in Canada-Mexico trade talks, but Canada has advantages in domestic energy and advanced manufacturing, say experts

newsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

The Hill Times’ 100 Most Influential People in Politics and Government in 2026

newsBY ABBAS RANA, LAURA RYCKEWAERT, NEIL MOSS, MARLO GLASS, STUART BENSON, KATE MALLOY, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, JESSE CNOCKAERT, IREM KOCA, ELEANOR WAND, PETER MAZEREEUW

All eyes on Trump: meet the top 50 foreign policy influencers navigating Canada’s role in a rocky world

featureBY NEIL MOSS, STUART BENSON, IREM KOCA

It’s Carney’s world: proximity matters for the top 50 influencing Canadian foreign policy

featureBY NEIL MOSS, STUART BENSON, IREM KOCA, MARLO GLASS

Carney sets out to repair Canada-Mexico strife ahead of CUSMA review 

newsBY NEIL MOSS