FDI for Canada
We find the best
to invest
Foreign direct investment (FDI) creates good jobs and opportunities for Canadians. It spurs economic growth, making our cities and towns thrive.
Invest in Canada is Canada’s global investment promotion and attraction agency. We find the best global companies to invest, building a prosperous, sustainable economy for our communities, our country and our world.
Regional Spotlight: New Brunswick
What is FDI
What is foreign direct investment?
Foreign direct investment occurs when a global company chooses to do business in Canada. They may set up operations here for the first time, expand their existing footprint in Canada, or partner with a Canadian business.
Why investment into Canada matters
Foreign direct investment creates opportunities, stimulates economic development and introduces new ideas and innovation to Canada. For Canadians, this means more high-quality jobs and a stronger, more sustainable economy.
Types of FDI
New investment
takes place when a global business sets up operations in Canada for the first time
Reinvestment
happens when a company expands its operations in Canada and opens more facilities
Merger and acquisition (M&A)
takes place when a global investor purchases or partners with a Canadian company to grow their business
Benefits to Canadians
Benefits to Canada and Canadians
When global investors choose Canada to set up shop or expand their operations, they make a long-term commitment to Canada. Global companies bring new ideas and technologies that build on Canada’s existing strengths.
As they grow in Canada, global businesses create new jobs for Canadians. Ongoing investment means Canada’s economy stays strong, stable and prosperous.
34,155 jobs
forecasted in 2021 from FDI (excluding M&As)
Source: fDi Markets & PitchBook
(retrieved May 24, 2022)
736 investment projects
announced in 2021
Source: fDi Markets & PitchBook
(retrieved May 13, 2022)
$75.5 billion
invested in Canada in 2021 by global companies
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 36-10-0473-01
(retrieved June 9, 2022)
Who is investing in Canada
Who is investing in Canada
Across all industries, Canada continues to attract global companies and innovative, high-growth businesses from around the world. They come to Canada, set down roots and stay for the long term. Get to know some of the companies that have invested in Canada below.
Why do global companies choose Canada?
Canada is a big draw for companies looking to grow on a global scale.
Here are just some of the reasons why:
Highly skilled workers
Canada has the most educated workforce in the world. Canadians bring valued skills and expertise to all fields of work.
Easy access to global markets
Canada’s focus on free and open trade with the rest of the world connects global businesses with 1.5 billion consumers in 51 countries worldwide.
Welcoming business environment
Canada is a stable and
cost-effective place to do business. Canada is #1 in the G7 for banking stability and access and our quality of life is #3 in the world.
Invest in Canada’s role
Invest in Canada’s role
At Invest in Canada, we find the best to invest. We work with government partners and investment attraction agencies to seek out the most committed and best qualified companies to invest in Canada. We provide personalized services to global companies to support their investment plans. Once they’re established in Canada, we help them identify and act on new opportunities for growth.
What it means for Canada
We’re focused on helping to build a prosperous, sustainable economy for our communities, our country and our world. This means promoting Canada as a top destination to global companies looking to expand their operations and reach new markets. Through this work, we help companies create high-quality jobs for Canadians, support economic development in communities both large and small, and open opportunities for Canadian industry to innovate and thrive.
Canada’s team approach to investment promotion
As Canada’s national investment promotion agency, we work with partners across the country to promote Canada as an investment destination:
- provincial and territorial governments
- municipalities across Canada
- investment promotion agencies
- industry associations
Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, located in 161 cities around the world, helps identify investors, connect them to our network, and provide them expertise and support.
“Umicore is a company with a 200-year history. We have done many investment projects during that time. This project that has been architected by Invest in Canada was a benchmark in the history of Umicore.”
Mathias Miedreich, CEO, Umicore
Read the
FDI Report 2022
Get the latest numbers on investment into Canada
Every year, Invest in Canada releases an annual report on the state of foreign direct investment into Canada. Featuring videos, insights and the latest investment figures, the FDI Report tells the story of global businesses coming to Canada and what that means for Canadians.