Carney visits Qatar as Canada seeks new investment partners
Prime Minister Mark Carney landed in Doha to pitch Canada as a stable destination for capital and to deepen trade ties with Qatar in AI, energy and infrastructure.
Copy link
By Torontoer Staff
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Doha on Saturday as Canada pushes to broaden trade relationships and attract foreign investment beyond traditional partners. The visit follows Carney’s trip to China and comes after Ottawa presented a new federal investment budget intended to position Canada as a stable destination for global capital.
Officials say the visit focuses on securing long-term economic ties with Qatar, a country Ottawa regards as a potential strategic partner because of its sovereign wealth and growing global influence.
Why Qatar matters to Ottawa
Qatar holds large pools of sovereign capital through the Qatar Investment Authority. For countries seeking to cushion trade exposure to any single market, that capital is attractive. Canadian officials are presenting the country’s industrial base, energy resources and trade advantages as reasons for Qatari investors to commit to long-term projects in Canada.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne framed the strategy as a response to shifting global trade patterns. He told reporters that Canada needs to reduce dependence and increase self-reliance to pursue a strategic path forward, and that engaging with the Middle East and China mirrors steps taken by European partners.
We need to reduce our dependence and increase our self-reliance to find a strategic path forward. Engaging with the Middle East and China is necessary for Canada, just like our European partners have done.
François-Philippe Champagne
What Ottawa is pitching
Officials say the talks will centre on expanding trade access and forging partnerships in artificial intelligence, infrastructure, energy and defence. Canada is also emphasising its manufacturing capabilities, from automotive and aerospace production to shipbuilding, and the country’s energy resources.
Champagne highlighted Canada’s comparative advantages in conversations with international investors. He pointed to Canada’s large industrial sectors and trade relationships as selling points to families of investors who seek stability and predictable returns.
We are one of the G7s with very big industries. We build cars, planes, ships, we have an abundance of energy, and we are the only one with free trade with all G7. With the way the world is changing, you better diversify, supply chain is changing and we need to adapt.
François-Philippe Champagne
- Artificial intelligence partnerships and technology investment
- Infrastructure projects, including ports and transit
- Energy sector deals, including liquefied natural gas and low‑carbon projects
- Defence procurement and industrial cooperation
Meetings on the agenda
Carney is scheduled to meet senior Qatari officials, including Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and representatives of the Qatar Investment Authority. The visits are designed to combine government-level diplomacy with business roundtables to connect Canadian companies with potential Qatari investors.
Ottawa expects discussions to identify specific projects and memoranda of understanding that could lead to investment announcements during or after the visit. Officials say the aim is not only short-term deals but to build frameworks for sustained economic cooperation.
Context and risks
The trip takes place against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions in the Middle East. Canadian officials have said the schedule remains unchanged, but any increase in instability could complicate talks or slow deal-making.
Engaging with sovereign wealth funds and state-linked investors carries political and reputational considerations. Ottawa will need to balance economic opportunities with governance and security questions, and to ensure investments fit Canadian regulatory and strategic priorities.
What to watch for after the visit
- Public announcements of memoranda of understanding or investment pledges from the Qatar Investment Authority
- Details on proposed partnerships in AI or infrastructure and timelines for projects
- Any changes to defence procurement or industrial cooperation agreements
- Statements clarifying how Ottawa will manage political and regulatory risks associated with new investors
Carney’s visit signals Ottawa’s broader strategy to diversify economic relationships as global trade patterns shift. The coming weeks could show whether Doha moves from a prospective partner to an active investor in Canadian projects.
Mark CarneyQatartradeinvestmentFrançois-Philippe Champagne
