Speaking at RBC Capital Markets’ conference in New York City on Tuesday, the CEO of Canada’s biggest bank said geopolitical instability in the Middle East underscores the need for countries in Europe and Asia to “diversify to Canadian energy.” (The Logic)

Talking point: McKay said “Canada is very much on a mission to go leverage our resources again” under Prime Minister Mark Carney after a decade of “ignoring them.” He pointed to increased defence spending, stronger energy exports and the potential for new investment deals as factors that could speed Canada’s growth. Greater certainty around the economy could also help revive the real estate sector, he said. While growth is currently “hanging in there” at around 1.5 per cent, McKay said those factors could provide meaningful stimulus, adding that he is “really bullish” about the country’s prospects. “You can see so many ways that this will be a great growth agenda for North America and for Canada,” he said.