CPP Investments chief says Canada attracting attention from foreign investors
Canada is reappearing on the radar of major global investors, according to John Graham, chief executive of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments). He said interest from large international players has noticeably increased as federal and provincial governments signal plans for new investment initiatives.
“Canada is coming back onto the investing community’s radar,” Graham noted, adding that he has recently received more inquiries about opportunities in the country than at any point during his tenure.
Policy signals are drawing attention
Graham credited the stepped-up outreach by national leaders who have been promoting Canada as a destination for foreign capital amid ongoing economic challenges, including the pressure of U.S. tariffs. He said ambition from both Ottawa and the provinces suggests a forthcoming pipeline of opportunities that historically have been limited or unavailable to international investors.
Turning that curiosity into actual deals won’t be automatic, he cautioned, but the groundwork is being laid. CPP Investments and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board are partnering with the federal government to host an investment summit in September aimed at showcasing Canadian opportunities to some of the world’s largest asset owners, alongside corporate leaders and policymakers.
New vehicles and potential asset sales
Ottawa has announced the Canada Strong Fund, a sovereign wealth fund designed to catalyze investment in large-scale infrastructure. Policymakers have also signaled a willingness to consider selling certain public assets if the proceeds can be redeployed to finance new infrastructure. Recent federal fiscal plans reference exploring alternative ownership structures for federally owned airports, an area that global investors have historically found attractive.
Graham said CPP Investments is naturally drawn to large, long-duration assets—particularly infrastructure—and will assess any opportunities that meet its risk and return criteria.
From interest to investment
While the tone from governments has been encouraging, Graham emphasized that execution matters. Converting renewed interest into commitments requires bankable projects, policy clarity, and predictable regulatory frameworks. He suggested the emerging set of initiatives could open doors for investors who have been searching for stable, real-asset exposure in advanced markets.
CPP Investments posts solid year, trails benchmark
CPP Investments reported a 7.8% return for its 2026 fiscal year, lifting net assets to $793.3 billion as of March 31 from $714.4 billion a year earlier. The increase reflected $56.9 billion in net income and $22 billion in net transfers from the Canada Pension Plan.
Public equities were a key driver of performance, while real assets—particularly energy and infrastructure—also contributed. However, the fund trailed its benchmark portfolio’s 13.2% return for the same period. The benchmark benefited from a relatively heavier allocation to the largest technology companies, which outperformed broader markets over the year as investor enthusiasm around artificial intelligence powered robust gains across the sector.
Graham said diversification had not been especially rewarded in the current environment, but maintained that a balanced approach remains prudent as the fund weighs risk against long-term returns. He underscored that CPP Investments’ strategy is built to weather cycles, with a focus on durable assets and disciplined capital deployment.
Outlook
The combination of policy momentum, newly proposed investment vehicles, and a high-profile investor summit has placed Canada back in the conversation for cross-border capital. Whether this rising curiosity turns into sustained inflows will depend on the pipeline of investable projects and the stability of the policy environment. For long-term investors seeking scale and certainty, Graham suggested Canada may soon offer more of both.
