Minister Champagne in Halifax for Invest Canada ’26 and Port of Halifax tour

Minister Champagne in Halifax for Invest Canada '26 and Port of Halifax tour

From: Department of Finance Canada

Media advisory

May 27, 2026 - Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Government of Canada is focused on catalyzing private sector investment in Canada that enhances long-term growth potential and that will help jumpstart and sustain productivity growth, to ultimately bring in $500 billion in new private sector investment in Canada over the next five years.

As part of that effort, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, will travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on May 28, 2026, to attend Invest Canada '26, the flagship annual conference of the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA), convening senior leaders from across Canada's VC and private equity ecosystem, including fund managers, institutional investors, and policymakers.

At the event the Minister will engage in a fireside chat with Benjamin Bergen, CVCA's Chief Executive Officer, about Canada's international capital strategy, balancing efforts to attract foreign investment while ensuring that ownership, returns, and long-term value creation remain anchored in Canada for domestic funds and pension investors.

Canada is already emerging as a top destination for global investment, with inward direct investment at its highest level in nearly two decades. Direct investment provides high-value, long-term capital that creates high-quality jobs, boosts productivity, and brings new technologies and skills to Canada.

Media are invited to attend the discussion. The Minister will take questions from the media after the event.

The Minister will also visit Defence Research and Development Canada, the science and technology organization of the Department of National Defence that provides the Canadian Armed Forces, other government departments, and public safety and national security communities with knowledge and technology.

In addition, the Minister will meet with Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore and tour the Port of Halifax, including a demonstration of the terminal's capacity to accommodate large vessels.

Quote

"Attracting more investment in Canada enables major projects, strengthens global supply-chain integration, and enhances Canada's competitiveness and economic resilience. Invest Canada is an important opportunity for a conversation with the private capital industry on the road ahead."

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

Invest Canada '26 and fireside chat

Date:

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Time:

11:45 a.m. AT

Location:

Halifax Convention Centre
1650 Argyle Street, Halifax, NS B3J 0E6

Notes for the media:

• Registration is mandatory. Please email [email protected] for media accreditation and registration information.
• Media are asked to arrive for set-up between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. AT.
• Media are asked to check-in at the registration desk located on the 5th floor (ballroom level) of the Convention Centre.
• Photo and video opportunity during the fireside chat.
• The fireside chat will be livestreamed via: https://vimeo.com/event/5948581.
• The other ministerial engagements while in Halifax are closed to media.

Quick facts

• Over five years, the government's capital investments and incentives in support of third parties, totalling about $280 billion, are expected to enable more than $1 trillion in total investment from public, private, and institutional partners.
• Canada consistently ranks among the top destinations for foreign direct investment confidence, with a AAA rating, the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, and ranking number one in the G7 for banking stability.
• In May 2026, Canada was ranked the world's most attractive market for infrastructure investment by the Global Infrastructure Investor Association.
• Canada has the world's most educated workforce, a leading artificial intelligence sector that is adding jobs faster than the United States, and a $140 billion quantum opportunity.
• With 16 free trade agreements across 51 countries, Canada has preferential access to 1.5 billion consumers representing two-thirds of global GDP.
• Canada has the best tax treatment for new business in the G7, and the Productivity Super-Deduction will further reduce the marginal effective tax rate (METR) by more than two percentage points.
• Canada's Major Projects Office is advancing 22 nation-building infrastructure projects and transformative strategies that position Canada for growth across electricity, nuclear, LNG, critical minerals - such as nickel, graphite, and tungsten - and transportation infrastructure. Together, these represent over $126 billion in investments.

Contacts