Canada pitches itself as a haven for investors 'in a very uncertain world'

The Canadian government is actively pitching itself as a haven for investors in a world of uncertainty. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed this week's Canada Investment Summit as a chance to attract chief executives and investors to a country rich in minerals and energy, while seeking to reduce its reliance on the US. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne noted that those attending the summit control more than C$120 trillion (€74.7tn) in global capital.

Representatives from Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway, and Nigeria's Aliko Dangote are expected to attend, alongside envoys from major Gulf investment agencies. Canada has historically faced criticism for its slow and bureaucratic project approvals, but officials now assert that speed and skill are required to seize this golden opportunity.

Champagne emphasized that the world has changed, highlighting Canada's critical minerals needed to power 21st-century growth and its abundance of energy resources. The summit comes amid deteriorating relations with Washington, as US President Donald Trump's administration imposes more tariffs. Despite this, American investors continue to come to Canada.

Champagne dismissed suggestions that Canada is marketing itself as a hedge against a more protectionist US, stating that capital goes where it finds opportunities. The trust Canada is building is increasingly being seen as the most sought-after commodity. The EU is at the heart of Canada's realignment efforts, with Carney set to address the European Parliament after the summit, continuing his push to band together against what he calls "superpower aggression."

Champagne also noted that the alliance between Canada and the EU would deepen during the week, emphasizing the bloc's attraction to Canada's certainty and predictability.