Ambitious Canada Part 1: This is our Moment

For generations, the United States wasn’t just a superpower; it was the center of the moral universe. It represented the best of what we could be—the most progressive, the most free, the most welcoming. The unspoken assumption was that America was the future, and we in Canada were fortunate to be in its orbit.

But that light has dimmed. The story America tells about itself no longer feels true. And in private conversations I’ve had with US tech leaders, the tone has shifted from certainty to deep unease. The US’s gravitational pull is weakening. This failure in US leadership creates an opening for new leaders to light a path.

The Veil Has Lifted

The American beacon has been dimmed not by an external rival, but from within. The veil has been lifted, revealing a culture that many of the world’s builders and dreamers find deeply unappealing. This isn’t about a single policy, but a series of powerful signals:

• Pervasive Political Chaos: Constant infighting has replaced a unified pursuit of progress, distracting the nation from the real challenges of the future.
• Isolationism: Tariffs, ICE deportations, and protectionist rhetoric have sent a clear message to the global community: you are not welcome here.
• Cultural Disillusionment: The tech titans once idolized as visionaries—figures like Zuckerberg and Musk—now often appear erratic and out of touch.

The the story of the American Dream is no longer credible.

An Opportunity We Can’t Afford to Miss

In this new global landscape, Canada is the unexpected light. Our relative stability, our commitment to multiculturalism, and our comparatively sane political discourse have made us a beacon of hope.

This window of opportunity will not stay open forever.

The risk of complacency is terrifying. Statistics show a steady trend: our economy is becoming more centralized and increasingly dependent on the US. If we fail to define and lead the next wave of progress—in AI, in energy, in biotech—we won’t just miss an opportunity; we will cement our status as a branch plant economy. We will be followers, not leaders, in a future defined by others. In a world of increasing centralization, this is a risk we cannot afford for our future.

There is no other option. We either seize this moment to build a uniquely ambitious future for ourselves, or we resign ourselves to being a dependency.

Now or Never

The world is looking for a new vision of what the best of what a progressive society can be. It’s looking for a model that combines material progress with moral ambition.

This is our chance to provide it. To offer a bigger, more ambitious dream.

So, what do we do? How do we channel this moment into a national project of ambitious, meaningful progress? How do we build a country that is not just a haven from a chaotic world, but a leader in building a better one?

Let’s start talking…

-ali asaria