We as a country benefit with a higher GDP, so I would rather Canada remain one of the countries with the highest standards of living rather than be left behind.  Prior to 1998, Japan had one of the highest standards of living with a GDP per capita similar to the US and higher than most Northern European countries.  Today thanks to stagnant growth, it is only marginally above the Mediterranean countries in Europe.  So do you want Canada to be the next Japan or Italy or would you rather we continue to be in the top 10 in terms of GDP per capita.