A company in Vancouver is encouraging Canadians to consider keeping some of their investment funds within the country to make a positive impact. Despite the rise of the “Buy Canadian” movement in 2025 during trade tensions and threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian investors continued to predominantly invest offshore, with a significant portion flowing into the U.S.
Financial planner Daisy Mak from Vancouver Financial Planning Consultants Inc. stated that some clients approached her to invest in Canadian assets after Trump’s re-election, but she emphasized the need for a balanced approach due to the impracticality of completely divesting from the U.S. While Canada’s banking and insurance sectors remain attractive for investment, other sectors like technology and pharmaceuticals require catching up.
Statistics Canada disclosed that Canadians acquired $111 billion in U.S. financial assets in the first three quarters of 2025, comprising 92% of total foreign securities transactions. Despite this trend, Blake Bunting, co-founder of GoParity Canada, noted an increase in interest towards local investments on their crowd-lending platform supporting community projects such as clean energy initiatives and Indigenous-run daycares.
A report from the Responsible Investment Association highlighted the continued importance of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) considerations among Canadian wealth managers, despite challenges and pushbacks faced, including negative media coverage. Bunting emphasized the role of platforms like GoParity in facilitating investments in environmentally sustainable projects and providing financing options for small businesses amid financial constraints.
In the realm of responsible investing, the focus on ESG criteria remains strong, with a drive towards impactful and sustainable investment choices. The emphasis is on ensuring investments align with values and contribute positively to society and the environment, reflecting a growing trend towards conscious and ethical financial decisions.
