“I want you to know Canadians for our resourcefulness”

Canada’s new Trudeau-era economy will be as much about brain power as it is fossil fuels,

the prime minister told a high-powered economic forum Wednesday as he set out to rebrand

the country on the world stage.

Justin Trudeau’s keynote address at the World Economic Forum in Davos was clearly meant

to differentiate him from predecessor Stephen Harper, who often used the meeting to tout

Canada as a resource powerhouse.

Canada’s natural resources remain a vital part of the economy — even as sliding oil prices

take their toll on regions like Alberta — but there’s more going on north of the 49th parallel

than just hewing wood and drawing water, said Trudeau.

“My predecessor wanted you to know Canada for its resources,” he said. “I want you to

know Canadians for our resourcefulness.”

Trudeau pointed to the success of University of Waterloo graduates in Silicon Valley and the

school’s eclectic student population, calling diversity “the engine of invention.”

And he framed Canada as a safe place to invest amid global economic uncertainty.

“We have a diverse and creative population, outstanding education and health care systems,

and advanced infrastructure,” he said. “We have social stability, financial stability and a

government willing to invest in the future.”

That message was repeated in meetings with some of the biggest businesses executives of

the conference, including Microsoft CEO Natya Nadella, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.

In an evening meeting with billionaire George Soros, the 85-year-old said he wasn’t stressed

about the Canadian economy, but played down Trudeau’s optimism for the global economy,

including Europe.