Ontario Premier Doug Ford is positioning the province as a destination for international capital as global business leaders gather for the first Canada Investment Summit, with the provincial government highlighting opportunities across energy, mining, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
Ford said the two-day summit will give Ontario an opportunity to strengthen relationships with international investors and promote major projects that the government says could attract tens of billions of dollars in investment.
Ford Targets International Investment at Canada Investment Summit
The premier said he plans to meet business leaders from several major international markets during the summit as Ontario seeks to expand its economic relationships and attract new investment.
“Over the next two days, we’re welcoming global investors to Ontario. I’ll be meeting with business leaders from around the world, including from Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar, Norway, Japan and Australia.
This is about building relationships, opening doors and making the case that Ontario is one of the most investable places anywhere in the world.
Our government has been relentless in making Ontario more competitive. We’re cutting red tape, speeding up permitting and creating the conditions businesses need to invest, grow and create good-paying jobs.
And we’re putting real opportunities on the table. Ontario’s Deal Book includes 15 major projects worth tens of billions of dollars, spanning energy production and transmission, critical minerals and mining, AI and advanced manufacturing.
We are building an economy that can compete with anyone, anywhere.
That’s going to be my message throughout the Canada Investment Summit.
Ontario has what the world needs and we’re going to make sure the world knows it.”
The statement places investment attraction at the centre of Ontario’s economic strategy, with the government seeking to connect international capital with large-scale projects in sectors considered important to the province’s future growth.
Ontario Deal Book Highlights 15 Major Projects
A central part of Ontario’s pitch is its Deal Book, which identifies 15 projects collectively valued at tens of billions of dollars. The opportunities cover several sectors where the province is seeking new investment and expanded capacity.
Energy and Critical Minerals Among Key Opportunities
Energy production and transmission form part of the investment portfolio, reflecting the importance of electricity infrastructure to industrial expansion and economic development. Mining and critical minerals are also prominent as Ontario looks to capitalize on its natural resources and support supply chains for advanced industries.
The province is also promoting opportunities involving artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Those sectors have become increasingly important to governments seeking to attract technology investment while supporting productivity, innovation and higher-value employment.
Ontario’s effort to bring international investors into these projects comes as jurisdictions around the world compete for capital tied to new manufacturing facilities, energy infrastructure, technology and strategic mineral development.
Government Promotes Faster Permitting and Reduced Red Tape
Ford’s statement also emphasized the provincial government’s efforts to reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate permitting processes.
The government argues that faster approvals and a more competitive business environment can make it easier for companies to establish or expand operations in Ontario. Attracting major investments can also generate broader economic activity through construction, supply chains and employment.
For Ontario, the summit provides an opportunity to present those policies directly to investors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region.
Ontario Seeks Long-Term Global Business Relationships
The range of countries represented in Ford’s planned meetings indicates that the province is looking beyond any single market for future investment.
Business leaders from Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar, Norway, Japan and Australia are among those the premier expects to meet, giving Ontario an opportunity to promote projects to investors with interests across energy, resources, technology and manufacturing.
The Canada Investment Summit also gives the province a platform to promote its economic assets while building relationships that could lead to future investment decisions.
With major projects on offer and international competition for capital remaining strong, Ontario’s message at the summit is centred on investment readiness, regulatory competitiveness and access to opportunities across several strategic industries. The government will use the gathering to make the case that the province can compete globally for the capital needed to support its next phase of economic growth.