The Canada investment summit in Toronto moved from economic pitch to policy announcement on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a package aimed at lowering investment costs, speeding up major projects and attracting private capital to public infrastructure.
The two-day summit, held from September 14 to 15, brought together major investors, business leaders and Canadian institutional funds. The federal government has set a goal of catalysing $1 trillion in investment over five years, with a focus on energy, transportation, defence, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and other strategic sectors. (pm.gc.ca)
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Canada investment summit centres on three major measures
Carney’s opening remarks outlined three central changes: a permanent immediate-expensing measure for a broad range of business assets, a new framework to accelerate approvals and a plan to seek private investment in the operation of Canada’s four largest airports.
The announcements are designed to make Canada more attractive to investors at a time when governments are competing for capital, supply chains and large-scale industrial projects.
1. Productivity Mega Deduction would expand immediate expensing
The federal government is proposing a Productivity Mega Deduction that would allow businesses to immediately deduct the cost of most eligible depreciable property acquired on or after September 15, 2026.
Immediate expensing allows a company to deduct the full cost of an eligible investment in the year the asset becomes available for use, rather than claiming deductions gradually over several years.
The proposed measure would cover about two-thirds of investment in capital assets, expanding eligibility beyond the narrower Productivity Super-Deduction announced in Budget 2025. Eligible categories would include many types of machinery, equipment, software, patents, research and development assets, fibre and other infrastructure.
Some assets would remain excluded, including certain buildings, goodwill, licences, franchises, regulated natural gas distribution pipelines and selected vehicles. The existing accelerated investment incentive would continue to apply to property that does not qualify for immediate expensing.
Finance Department estimates put the incremental fiscal cost at $36 billion over five years beginning in 2026-27. The department also estimates that the measure could provide an average of $8.5 billion in annual investment support over a 10-year period and raise annual economic output by as much as approximately $22 billion.
The government says the proposal would reduce Canada’s marginal effective tax rate on new business investment to 6.4 per cent, compared with 16.9 per cent in the United States and an OECD average of 19 per cent. Those figures are government estimates and will depend on the final legislative and regulatory framework.
2. Build Canada Strong Act targets faster approvals
Carney also said the government would introduce a Build Canada Strong Act to apply a faster approval model across projects and supply chains.
The stated standard is “one project, one review, one year,” although the speech did not provide the full text of the proposed legislation or explain how the timeline would apply to every type of project.
The measure follows the creation of the Major Projects Office, which the government says has already received 27 nation-building initiatives. Those projects include ports, mines and energy corridors and represent up to $500 billion in potential private investment opportunities, according to the prime minister’s remarks.
The government’s approach is intended to reduce duplication and provide investors with more certainty around permitting, environmental reviews and construction timelines.
However, the announcement does not eliminate the need for regulatory approvals or consultation. Carney said Canada would retain high standards while pursuing faster and more predictable decisions.
3. Ottawa plans private concessions for four major airports
The third major announcement involves long-term concessions to operate Canada’s four largest airports.
The federal government would retain ownership of the underlying land and assets while seeking private capital and expertise for airport operations and expansion. The government said the proceeds could reach tens of billions of dollars and would be reinvested in regional airports, local transportation and a national broadband backbone.
The announcement does not amount to an immediate sale of the airports. It begins a process to explore operating concessions, with further details expected from the federal government and airport authorities.
Carney said the plan is intended to unlock value from existing public assets while improving connections between Canadian communities and international markets.
What the summit means for Canadian businesses
For businesses, the immediate-expensing proposal could improve the after-tax economics of buying equipment, adopting technology or expanding production in Canada.
The measure may be particularly relevant to manufacturers, technology companies, transportation firms, energy businesses and other industries with significant capital requirements. Its practical impact will depend on the final eligibility rules, the timing of legislation and whether businesses have sufficient taxable income to use the deductions.
For workers and communities, the government is linking the investment strategy to new infrastructure, supply-chain development and higher-paying employment. The summit’s policy agenda also highlights defence manufacturing, critical minerals, clean energy, artificial intelligence and transportation as areas where Ottawa wants to attract long-term capital.
For taxpayers, the Productivity Mega Deduction carries a substantial fiscal cost. The government is presenting the measure as an investment in productivity and growth, but Parliament will still need to consider the legislation, projected revenue impacts and the distribution of benefits among sectors and regions.
Summit follows months of investment-focused policy
Carney announced the first Canada Investment Summit in April, describing it as part of a broader plan to mobilise $1 trillion in total investment over five years. The summit was co-hosted by the federal government, CPP Investments and PSP Investments.
The prime minister’s latest announcements build on earlier tax measures, internal-trade reforms and efforts to advance major projects. They also arrive as Canada seeks to diversify trade and investment relationships amid continued uncertainty in global markets.
The next stage will be implementation. The federal government must set out the legal details of the tax deduction, introduce the proposed project-approval framework and clarify how airport concessions would be structured.
Until those details are released, the Canada investment summit marks a significant policy announcement rather than the completion of the measures themselves. Carney’s trade talks, defence spending and broader policy shift remain part of the wider investment context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Canada Investment Summit?
It is a federal investment gathering held in Toronto from September 14 to 15, 2026, bringing together investors, business leaders and Canadian institutional funds.
What is the Productivity Mega Deduction?
It is a proposed tax measure that would allow immediate expensing for most eligible depreciable property acquired on or after September 15, 2026.
How much would the Productivity Mega Deduction cost?
The Department of Finance estimates an incremental fiscal cost of $36 billion over five years beginning in 2026-27.
What is the Build Canada Strong Act?
It is a proposed federal framework intended to speed up approvals for major projects and supply chains, with a stated goal of one project, one review and one year.
Are Canada’s largest airports being sold?
No. The government says it plans to seek long-term private operating concessions while retaining ownership of the underlying airport land and assets.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, policy details, fiscal estimates and investment targets were checked against official Prime Minister of Canada and Department of Finance Canada information.
Disclaimer: The Productivity Mega Deduction, Build Canada Strong Act and airport concession plans may change before final legislation, regulations or agreements are completed.