Hunter Prize 2026 Submission
Tapping Canada’s
Kindness Superpower
A national initiative to unlock entrepreneurship by turning kindness into Canada’s most powerful, unlimited economic resource.
A true national treasure
Entrepreneur-led • Fiscally responsible • Culturally unifying
THE CHALLENGE
Canada’s entrepreneurship
decline is real.
Self-employment and business formation rates are falling. Cultural and social barriers — low trust, burnout, and risk-aversion — are holding Canada back from its full potential.
12.8%
Current self-employment rate
(down from 17.3%)
(down from 17.3%)
12.3%
Business entry rate in 2023
(down from 15.2%)
(down from 15.2%)
Flat
Business entries 2015–2024
(while US +34%, UK +40%)
(while US +34%, UK +40%)
Kindness is the missing lever: an unlimited resource that builds trust, resilience, and collaboration — the exact conditions entrepreneurs need to start and scale.
THE SOLUTION
Kindness Entrepreneurship Initiative
A 10-year, entrepreneur-led national strategy to commercialize kindness as Canada’s competitive advantage.
1
Years 1–2
Grassroots Foundation
- Voluntary kindness curriculum in schools
- Business education on kindness strategies
- Community & family toolkits
- Entrepreneur-led pilots & commercialization
2
Years 3–5
Scale & Talent Integration
- Targeted tax incentives for kindness ventures
- Kindness competencies in immigration
- Export promotion of Canadian kindness brands
- National certification program
3
Years 6–10
National Leadership
- Interprovincial trade harmonization
- Annual Canada Kindness Summit
- Global positioning as kindness economy leader
- Measurable economic & social returns
Expected Impact
+15–25%
Increase in new kindness & wellness businesses
Net Zero
or positive fiscal impact
All Canadians
Engaged across gender, culture & politics
Global Leader
Position for the kindness economy
Ready to turn kindness into Canada’s superpower?
This initiative was submitted to the 2026 Hunter Prize for Public Policy.
Kindness is not just good for society — it’s excellent for business and national prosperity.