Dominic Barton says he felt “compelled” to help Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attract foreign investment to Canada despite criticism from federal Conservatives over his appointment.
Barton told CTV Power Play in an interview airing Monday: “I’m volunteering for this, I don’t need to do it. I feel compelled, it’s a mission to drive and build this forward.”
Carney’s inaugural two-day Canada Investment Summit aims to attract $1 trillion in investment over five years.
More than 160 opportunities are being presented to investment banks, state-owned funds and major pension funds.
Projects include an expansion of the Port of Churchill, offshore wind development in Nova Scotia and a proposed West Coast oil pipeline.
Carney recently appointed Barton chair of Invest in Canada’s board. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has since called him “the ultimate Liberal powerbroker,” while Conservative MP Aaron Gunn described him as a “scandal-plagued, Liberal insider.”
Barton said Canada’s biggest challenge is turning investment opportunities into completed projects. “I think execution risk is the big one,” he told CTV.
He said investors need greater certainty around approvals, regulations and permitting.
Barton acknowledged Canada is not currently competitive internationally but said Carney’s measures are “actually shaking it up.”
“I’m confident we will (be competitive),” he added, “because we’re bringing in this capital and this interest.”
