Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to deliver remarks and hold a press conference as Canada’s first-ever Investment Summit enters its second and final day in Toronto, with the federal government seeking to attract major international investment amid economic uncertainty and the ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
The two-day summit has brought together hundreds of Canadian and international business executives, global asset managers, pension funds and government officials to discuss investment opportunities across the country. The event is part of Carney’s broader plan to generate C$1 trillion in new investment in Canada over the next five years.
Carney is expected to use his remarks to highlight Canada’s investment potential, including opportunities in energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, technology and artificial intelligence. The government is presenting Canada as a stable and reliable destination for long-term capital at a time of growing geopolitical and trade uncertainty.
The summit also comes as Canada works to reduce its economic dependence on the United States. Trade tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump have encouraged Ottawa to pursue stronger economic relationships with Europe, Asia and other international markets. Carney is also preparing for a European trip focused on deeper Canada-EU cooperation.
Several major investment announcements have already emerged from the summit. Among them is Bell Canada’s planned C$50-billion artificial intelligence data-centre expansion in Saskatchewan, which was highlighted during the summit’s opening day.
The federal government has also introduced measures aimed at making Canada more attractive to large investors. Investors committing C$1 billion or more will receive priority access to a program providing binding advance tax rulings, giving companies greater certainty before making major investments.
On the second day, Carney is also expected to participate in a fireside discussion with the head of PSP Investments, one of Canada’s major pension investment organizations.
The summit has faced criticism from activists and social-justice groups, who argue that some of the projects being promoted could increase fossil-fuel development, military production and private control of public assets. Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in Toronto ahead of the summit’s main programming.
For the Carney government, the event represents an effort to turn Canada’s economic challenges into an opportunity to attract capital, expand domestic industries and diversify trade and investment relationships.
Swifteradio.com
