Carney Says Investment Summit Is Already Sparking New Economic Activity Across Canada

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi/ Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada

September 13, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s first-ever national investment summit is already generating new economic activity, even before formal investment agreements are signed, as hundreds of global investors gather in Toronto to explore opportunities across the country.

Speaking ahead of the two-day Canada Investment Summit, Carney said the event has already encouraged investors, businesses and governments to begin discussing partnerships that could unlock billions of dollars in projects spanning infrastructure, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

A new strategy to attract global capital

The summit, taking place in Toronto on September 14–15, brings together more than 300 senior executives and institutional investors representing over $120 trillion in global assets under management.

Rather than focusing on a single industry, the federal government is presenting more than 160 investment-ready Canadian projects to domestic and international investors in an effort to accelerate economic growth and reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States.

Carney described the gathering as an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Canada’s strengths, including its stable democratic institutions, highly skilled workforce, abundant natural resources and access to global markets through numerous free trade agreements.

Investment interest is already building

Although the summit is not expected to produce immediate multi-billion-dollar announcements, Carney said meaningful economic activity is already underway.

He explained that companies have begun connecting with provincial governments, Indigenous communities and private-sector partners before the official meetings, creating momentum that could lead to major investments over the coming months.

Government officials expect many of the projects discussed at the summit to move forward within the next 12 to 18 months, particularly in sectors considered strategically important to Canada’s long-term competitiveness.

From critical minerals to AI

Among the projects being presented are initiatives involving critical mineral mining, clean and conventional energy, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, data centres, transportation infrastructure and aerospace manufacturing.

Carney’s government believes these sectors will play a central role in creating high-paying jobs while strengthening Canada’s position in the global economy.

The summit also reflects the government’s broader effort to attract investment into industries that support the transition to cleaner energy while maintaining Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of natural resources.

Reducing dependence on the U.S.

The investment drive comes as Canada continues to navigate trade tensions with the United States.

Carney has repeatedly argued that Canada must diversify its economic partnerships and attract more international capital to reduce its vulnerability to shifting U.S. trade policies.

His administration has promoted Canada as a dependable destination for long-term investment, emphasizing political stability, the rule of law and predictable business regulations as key competitive advantages.

Major investors attend Toronto summit

Some of the world’s largest investment firms are participating in the Toronto gathering, including representatives from BlackRock, Blackstone, Temasek and APG Groep, alongside Canadian financial institutions and pension funds.

The federal government hopes the summit will help attract more than C$1 trillion in investment over the next five years, supporting projects capable of generating thousands of jobs and boosting productivity across the country.

A long-term economic vision

Carney said the summit is about more than attracting capital—it is intended to build lasting partnerships that strengthen Canada’s economy for future generations.

While acknowledging that investment decisions take time, he expressed confidence that the conversations already taking place demonstrate growing international confidence in Canada as a destination for business and innovation.

As global investors arrive in Toronto, the success of the summit will ultimately be measured not by headlines alone, but by whether today’s discussions translate into new factories, infrastructure, technology projects and employment opportunities for Canadians in the years ahead.