Poloz’s discussions have included potential solutions, such as regulatory adjustments allowing pensions to take a more activist stance in their investments or establishing a pooled fund to facilitate dealmaking for smaller pension plans.
In recent months, several Canadian mid-cap companies have been acquired by foreign entities, including Stelco Holdings Inc., now owned by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., and Tricon Residential Inc., purchased by Blackstone Inc.
Carrier finds go-private transactions “always a little bit depressing,” seeing them as signs of a shrinking Canadian public market. Without adequate capital and fair valuations, Canadian companies are increasingly vulnerable to foreign acquisition offers.
Canada’s initial public offering (IPO) market has also been slow, raising less than $750m this year, mainly for financial vehicles like ETFs, according to Bloomberg data.
In response, Desjardins is expanding its corporate debt market activities beyond government debt, aiming to support Canadian companies in raising more capital.
