Canada’s Leading Pensions Favor U.S. Investments Despite ‘Buy Canadian’ Trend

Rowan Ashford

Published: February 14, 2026 7:02 AM ET

Canada’s Leading Pensions Favor U.S. Investments Despite ‘Buy Canadian’ Trend

Despite a prevailing trend to “Buy Canadian,” Canada’s largest pension funds are significantly invested in the U.S. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP), the nation’s premier pension fund, announced it has amassed a record $780.7 billion in assets. Notably, 47% of its portfolio is allocated to U.S. investments, while only 13% is confined to Canadian assets.

Canadian Pension Funds Embrace U.S. Investments

Since President Donald Trump assumed office, the CPP’s investments in the U.S. have remained steady. As of this week, the fund holds approximately $366 billion in U.S. assets compared to $98 billion in its Canadian portfolio. This trend is also reflected in the “Maple Eight,” the group of Canada’s largest pension funds, which collectively owns about $1 trillion in U.S. assets.

Investment Strategies and Rationale

OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System) has 55% of its portfolio in American assets.
PSP (Public Service Pension) holds 40.5% in U.S. equities.
Only three out of the Maple Eight maintain a higher proportion of Canadian assets.

CPP’s spokesperson, Michel Leduc, acknowledged growing investor concerns regarding geopolitical risks, but emphasized a long-term investment approach. “We are not easily swayed by current events,” he stated, highlighting that the CPP’s level of U.S. investment is below averages observed in global measures, such as the MSCI World Index.

Calls for Increased Domestic Investment

The landscape is shifting, and experts are advocating for more investments within Canada. Daniel Brosseau, president of Letko Brosseau Global Investment Management, noted that pension funds play a crucial role in influencing the Canadian economy beyond just funding retirements. In 2024, he and 90 other investment leaders urged the government to create incentives for the Maple Eight to allocate more capital domestically.

Senator Clément Gignac highlighted that uncertainties regarding U.S. economic policies have led Canadian pension funds to reassess their exposure to American markets. Recent meetings between the finance minister and pension fund managers sought to foster collaboration and explore domestic investment opportunities.

Government Initiatives and Industry Response

Canada’s Finance Minister, François-Philippe Champagne, has met with the Maple Eight to encourage domestic investments. While there are no current regulations mandating “Buy Canadian” policies, there is a recognition of the need to invest domestically. The government has made an effort to create new platforms for collaboration with pension fund managers.

Keith Ambachtsheer from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management has long advocated for removing foreign investment caps, arguing that they hinder diversification. CPP’s investment performance has been robust, averaging 8.4% annualized returns over the last decade.

Many funds are currently assessing new opportunities, especially with the announcement of several major projects backed by various levels of government. With $264 million allocated for investments, companies like OMERS see a pivotal moment in Canadian investment potential.

Ultimately, CPP’s strategy focuses on low-risk, predictable returns. Leduc emphasized the fund’s commitment to stable, long-term investments while closely monitoring local policies that can present new opportunities.