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The Canada Investment Summit opened in Toronto on Monday with more than 100 money managers from about 25 countries in attendance, many invited personally by Prime Minister Mark Carney on the basis of relationships built during his years in global banking. Carney, who previously led the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England before chairing Brookfield Asset Management and entering politics, used the gathering to highlight Canada’s resources, educated workforce and sophisticated pension funds as key attractions. A government prospectus prepared for the event outlines more than 160 projects spanning energy, mining, artificial intelligence and infrastructure that require hundreds of billions of dollars in capital. Officials aim to channel the investments into initiatives that foster greater economic independence following the escalation of trade tensions with the United States.
Statistics Canada data places the stock of foreign direct investment in the country at 1.6 trillion dollars by the end of 2025, reflecting a 6.9 percent increase from the prior year with the United States accounting for 46.1 percent of the total. TD Economics reported inflows reaching 44.7 billion dollars in the first half of 2026, while portfolio investment into Canadian debt securities set a quarterly record of 110.2 billion dollars in the second quarter. The figures underscore sustained foreign appetite for Canadian assets even as non-U.S. sources have moderated in recent quarters.
Carney told summit participants that Canada is a stable and reliable partner in a world that is anything but, according to remarks carried by multiple outlets covering the event. He has set an ambitious target of one trillion dollars in total investment over five years to support nation-building projects in critical minerals, energy and advanced manufacturing. The prime minister’s office stated that foreign direct investment is currently running at twice the rate of Canada’s nearest G7 peer.
A member survey by the Global Infrastructure Association ranked Canada first among the world’s most attractive markets for infrastructure investment, the first time it has topped the United States and Germany in the poll. Finance Minister Mélanie Joly said markets are signalling trust in Canada as officials work to accelerate project approvals to within one year and reform the tax system for greater competitiveness. Bloomberg reported that Carney’s government will announce further measures soon to enhance the tax environment and streamline federal approvals across the economy.
The summit takes place against the backdrop of a trade dispute with the United States that has prompted Ottawa to seek stronger ties with other partners through its network of 16 free trade agreements covering 1.5 billion consumers. Carney has repeatedly emphasised the need for strategic autonomy in energy, food, critical minerals, finance and supply chains following a series of global crises. His administration has reinforced what it describes as the strongest fiscal position in the G7 while introducing benefits such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit for millions of households.
Carney entered politics last year and led the Liberals to a fourth consecutive election victory by capitalising on sentiment around standing up to U.S. protectionism. A New York Times account of the summit noted that the prime minister has leveraged his extensive contacts from Goldman Sachs, central banking and asset management to draw high-profile attendees including representatives from BlackRock, Blackstone and major sovereign wealth funds. The event is expected to yield commitments that help diversify Canada’s economic relationships beyond its southern neighbour.
