As we welcome 2026, Canada finds itself at an inflection point. Productivity has stalled, competitiveness is slipping, and incremental change is no longer enough. Across the world and within our own community, there is growing recognition that the way we think about education, work, and impact must continue to evolve. 

Our nation’s productivity challenge is real, but it is not for lack of talent, ambition or ideas. Rather, it reflects a disconnect between how our systems are designed and the pace at which our economy and industries are changing. Addressing that disconnect requires more than incremental improvement. It calls for greater alignment, deeper partnerships, and the courage to act differently. 

That is the spirit behind Productivity Now, a new white paper released by Humber this week. At its core, the paper is about nation building, and the role education must play in strengthening Canada’s productivity, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity.

Around the world, countries such as Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands have demonstrated what is possible when strong polytechnic systems are empowered to move at the speed of industry — integrating learning with application and converting knowledge into economic and social impact. These systems succeed because education and industry move forward together, with shared purpose and mutual accountability. 

For those of us at Humber, this work will feel familiar because it reflects the brilliance we are already building every day. It lives in the programs developed in close collaboration with industry. It lives in applied research projects that help organizations test, adopt, and scale new technologies. And it lives in the countless ways our faculty and staff support learners in developing not only technical expertise, but also the confidence and adaptability needed to contribute meaningfully over the course of their careers. 

What distinguishes Humber’s polytechnic approach is our intentional focus on moving systems forward. We work strategically with industry to strengthen sectors, drive innovation, and build the conditions for sustained economic and social impact. Our graduates are prepared to make an immediate in the workforce – and to help shape its future. 

Ultimately, productivity is about people. It is about creating the space for skills, creativity, and ideas to translate into real outcomes. Our Humber community plays a central role in making that possible, and the work we do every day matters deeply now and as we move toward the future. 

2026 will be a year of action. A year where Humber continues to lead — not by waiting for change, but by driving it.

This year, we will continue to build brilliance – not incrementally, but purposefully. 

This is Productivity Now.

This is how Humber meets the moment. 

-AMV