Maclean’s Top 10 Essays on How to Fix Canada
Canada’s smartest thinkers propose radical solutions to the country’s biggest problems
Could spongifying our cities be a solution to climate change–induced flooding? Would a four-day workweek cure burnout and improve productivity? And how about grape anti-freeze to save B.C.’s wine crops? These are just some of the surprising, often brilliant solutions to the country’s biggest problems, proposed by Canada’s top scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, authors and professors. Here, our top 10 big ideas of 2024.
NO. 10
Investing in “Sponge Cities” Can Mitigate the Toll of Climate Change
Serious flooding is in our future—here’s one way we can take it on
NO. 9
How to Fix Canada’s Traffic Problem
Canadians are stuck in gridlock. Congestion tolls would get things moving.
NO. 8
The Case For the Four-Day Workweek
Canada is facing a national productivity crisis. One counterintuitive solution? Give workers more time off.
NO. 7
The Case For Refugee Reception Centres
Asylum seekers are arriving in Canada in record numbers, sleeping in shelters, churches and sometimes on the street. Reception centres are a more humane approach.
NO. 6
Online Dating is Out. Real-Life Romance is In.
Apps have gamified meeting and mating. Canadians should log off to find love.
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NO. 5
Neurochips Will Fix Our Brains
I invented the world’s first brain chip. It can cure epilepsy, dementia, chronic pain and addiction—if Canada is ready to invest.
NO. 4
How Open Banking Can Fix Canada’s Financial Security Issue
Canada’s risk-averse banking system is full of potential dangers for customers. A simple security update would change everything.
NO. 3
How to Rescue Canada’s Wine Supply
Extreme weather is killing Canada’s grapes. A new Saskatchewan-made spray could save the day.
NO. 2
Capture Carbon From the Air
Companies need to stop their emissions from polluting the skies. Direct air capture can help absorb what’s already up there.
NO. 1
Pay Family Doctors Differently
B.C. rolled out the Longitudinal Family Physician payment model and gained 700 new family doctors