Canada seeks ‘private investment’ in airports but feds to keep land, assets

Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto from September 13-14, aiming to attract over $1 trillion in investments across 167 projects in Canada over five years. The summit coincided with the Toronto International Film Festival and a minor league baseball game, creating significant security challenges for local authorities. Over 1,000 protesters, including activists from World Beyond War, rallied against the investment summit on September 14, arguing that outside investments might not benefit everyday Canadians who are already struggling with rent and living costs. Activists were particularly concerned about projects expanding fossil fuel infrastructure and increasing military production. The Carney government also announced its plans to seek private investment for Canada’s four largest airports—Toronto Pearson, Calgary International, Vancouver International, and Montreal Trudeau—while retaining ownership of the land and assets. This move has drawn criticism from labor unions and environmental groups who fear the potential negative impacts on public resources without guaranteed returns.