Global Investment Conference 2025

Coverage of the 2025 Global Investment Conference

Against a backdrop of unpredictability on the global stage, Canadian institutional investors continue to face several competing headwinds, including a push from the federal government to encourage more investment domestically, central banks’ developing policies to tame inflation and a new U.S. president ready to make his imprint on foreign affairs.

At the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta on April 23-25, the 30th anniversary of the Global Investment Conference examined these challenges, delved into how investment strategies can meet this moment and reflected on the last three decades and how far we’ve come.

Here’s what you missed!

PHOTO GALLERY

Cliff Kupchan
Eurasia Group
Trump accelerates uncertainty, cost of resources for businesses around the world

The cost of doing business under the current U.S. administration is getting more expensive and uncertain.

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Tarik Serri
Trans-Canada Capital Inc.
Uncovering private debt’s emerging opportunities and risks

While private debt continues to draw strong interest from institutional investors, the market is surrounded by conflicting narratives — some believe it’s a great opportunity and others warn of overheating.

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Yashica Reddy
Schroders
How institutional investors can integrate energy transition assets into their portfolios

In recent years, the energy sector has been unloved and out of favour, sitting at just below four per cent on the MSCI World index.

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Bill Bohnsack
Oak Hill Advisors
The interconnectedness of credit markets and attractive opportunities for investors

The uncertain geopolitical climate and the ensuing market volatility are offering a variety of entry points into credit markets.

This session was made possible by T. Rowe Price.

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Renato Latini
Brandywine Global
Is credit playing a larger role in portfolio allocation in the uncertain economic environment?

Many factors have contributed to a proliferation of debt at the sovereign level, including the coronavirus pandemic and central bankers subsequent fight against inflation.

This session was made possible by Franklin Templeton Investments.

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Nicolas Delisle
SLC Management
A look at the evolution of fund finance structures and the opportunities for investors

Over the past 10 years, several macroeconomic changes, including increased bank regulations, interest rate volatility and the velocity of acquisitions and fundraising, have impacted private equity and private credit dynamics and brought in fund finance as an asset class.

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Andrzej Skiba
RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc.
Identifying opportunities and risk factors in global credit markets amid economic uncertainty

The move towards a core-plus mindset, first-time major allocations to stand-alone credit strategies and a focus on less liquid assets are the top trends in credit among institutional investors.

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John Withrow
AB CarVal
The risks and rewards of asset-based financing

While the traditional markets of asset-based finance, such as mortgages and automobile loans, are mature, the non-traditional ones, such as point-of-sale transactions and home improvement loans, are offering investment opportunities.

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Jennifer Coulson
British Columbia Investment Management Corp.
 
Brian Minns
University Pension Plan
 
Janice Anderson
Nutrien Ltd.
Panel: Achieving a net-zero economy by 2050 will require more than institutional investment targets

While the British Columbia Investment Management Corp. supports the goal of net zero by 2050, that doesn’t translate to a hard target for its portfolio.

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Brandon Weening
OMERS
How the OMERS is getting comfortable with leverage

A stigma around the use of leverage by a pension plan is magnified if the organization is facing funding issues.

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Aaron Pittman formerly of Equiton
Erkan Yönder Concordia University
How institutional investors can mitigate climate risks, capitalize on trends in Canadian real estate

Through a series of research papers, investment firm Equiton is working with Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business to explore the sustained cashflows available for institutional investors in Canada’s residential real estate market alongside the impact of climate change.

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Gurvir Grewal
William Blair
Gaining a balanced perspective on AI’s potential while managing inherent risks

While algorithms have historically dictated the actions of data and computers, artificial intelligence has flipped that on its head.

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Chris Brown
WISE Trust
 
Josée Mondoux
Canadian Medical Protective Association
 
Marc Gauthier
Concordia University
Panel: Volatility acceleration pushing need for a long-term investment solutions

Increasing periods of heightened volatility are demanding composure and trust from investment professionals for their long-term roadmap.

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Blair Richards
Halifax Port ILA/HEA
 
Francois Quinty
Via Rail Canada
 
Duncan Burrill
Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Pension Plan
Panel: Private assets expanded asset mix reach of Canadian pension plans

The emergence of private assets in pension funds’ portfolios is opening new investment opportunities.

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Sponsors

To view highlights from the 2024 Global Investment Conference, click here.

To view highlights from the 2023 Global Investment Conference, click here.

To view highlights from the 2022 Global Investment Conference, click here.

To view highlights from the 2021 Global Investment Conference, click here.

To view highlights from the 2020 Global Investment Conference, click here.