Key facts
- Hundreds of activists protested Prime Minister Mark Carney's investment summit in Toronto on Monday.
- Protesters opposed projects related to fossil fuels, military production, and private control of public assets.
- The summit aims to connect global investors with Canadian companies for partnerships.
- Bell Canada announced an expansion of its data center project in Saskatchewan.
- The finance ministry will prioritize advance income tax ruling requests for investments of C$1 billion or more.
Hundreds of activists gathered in downtown Toronto on Monday to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney's investment summit, which aims to attract interest in over 160 mining, energy, technology, and infrastructure projects. The demonstration, organized by labor, migrant rights, environmental, and social justice groups, opposed projects that would expand fossil fuel infrastructure, increase military production, and transfer greater control of public assets to private investors.
Protest organizers expressed concerns that the highlighted projects included fossil fuels, artificial intelligence, and military-related industries. Haley Asquin, a spokesperson for Common Horizon, stated that young workers want good jobs and a country they can be proud of, without environmental destruction from fossil fuels, violence from military weapons, or job threats from AI.
Carney's approval rating remains above 60%, according to an Angus Reid poll, with Canadians backing his stance against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. However, Carney has faced criticism from the progressive wing of his Liberal Party for rolling back predecessor Justin Trudeau's climate policies to foster better relations with resource industries and prioritize economic growth.
The summit's goal is to match approximately 100 global investors with Canadian CEOs, companies, and local officials. Carney is seeking to diversify Canada's economic ties beyond the U.S. by developing closer commercial relationships with investors and governments in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. On Monday, Bell Canada announced an expansion of its data center project in Saskatchewan, and the finance ministry indicated it would prioritize advance income tax ruling requests for investments of C$1 billion or more. Syed Hassan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, criticized government support for private investors through subsidies and tax incentives.