Toronto protest targets Carney's investment summit over fossil fuels, AI and arms

Hundreds of activists marched through downtown Toronto on Monday to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney's investment summit, which is aimed at drawing global interest in more than 160 mining, energy, technology and infrastructure projects.

Organizers said they objected to proposals that would expand fossil fuel infrastructure, boost military production and hand greater control of public assets to private investors. Labour, migrant rights, environmental and social justice groups took part in the demonstration.

Haley Asquin, a spokesperson for Common Horizon, a group representing young workers, said participants were troubled that the projects showcased at the summit included fossil fuels, artificial intelligence and military-related industries.

"We're young workers and we want good jobs, and we want to be part of building a country that we can be proud of," Asquin said. "We don't want to see fossil fuels that are going to destroy our climate. We don't want to see military weapons that are going to fill our world with violence. And we don't want AI that is going to directly threaten workers' jobs."

The summit is designed to connect around 100 global investors with Canadian chief executives, companies and local officials to help forge investments or partnerships. Carney has sought to broaden Canada's economic ties beyond the United States, its largest trading partner, by building closer commercial relationships with investors and governments in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

On Monday, Bell Canada announced it was expanding a data centre project in Saskatchewan. The finance ministry said it would give priority to advance income tax ruling requests for investments of C$1 billion ($718.9 million) or more, so that investors can receive a decision before committing capital. Carney has also promised to raise defence spending.

Syed Hassan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said protesters opposed what they described as government support for private investors through subsidies and tax incentives.

Carney's approval rating remains above 60% in the latest Angus Reid poll, with Canadians backing his efforts to confront U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian exports. But he has angered the more progressive wing of his Liberal Party by reversing many of predecessor Justin Trudeau's climate policies in order to restore friendlier relations with resource-extracting industries and prioritize economic growth.