Introduction to Doing Business in Canada 2026
This chapter is part of our Doing Business in Canada guide, designed to help global investors navigate the legal, regulatory and strategic considerations that affect investment decisions, execution, and long-term success in Canada.
Canada is open for business
In 2025, Canada accelerated efforts to strengthen its economy in response to a changing global environment — expanding trade relationships, encouraging foreign investment and advancing regulatory reform aimed at long-term growth and productivity. The result is a market with significant momentum and a growing pipeline of opportunities across sectors critical to Canada’s economic future.
Canada is actively seeking global private and institutional capital to advance projects of national interest in infrastructure, conventional and clean energy, AI and digital infrastructure, critical minerals, defence, industrial manufacturing, and agribusiness.
But opportunity in Canada comes with complexity. As one of the world’s most decentralized federations, with both common law and civil law systems, Canada requires businesses to navigate overlapping regulatory regimes, multiple orders of government, and Indigenous rights-holders and partners. Success depends not only on understanding the legal framework, but on appreciating how decisions are made in practice.
McCarthy Tétrault helps clients navigate Canada’s legal, regulatory and public policy landscape with clarity, speed and strategic judgment. Doing Business in Canada is designed as a practical guide for global decision-makers considering investment, acquisition, or expansion in the Canadian market. It focuses on the legal and regulatory issues most likely to affect risk, timing and execution, including foreign investment, M&A, competition, tax, financing, employment, and key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, defence, and international trade and investment.
The discussion in each section covers general guidance for businesses and is not an exhaustive analysis of all provisions of relevant Canadian law. For this reason, we recommend that you seek the advice of one of our lawyers on the specific legal aspects of your proposed investment or activity.
For more information or questions about this guide, please contact Karl Tabbakh.
For a complete view of investment, regulatory and sector considerations, explore the full Doing Business in Canada guide.
Get the full Doing Business in Canada guide
Access the complete Doing Business in Canada guide as a downloadable PDF. This comprehensive resource brings together key legal, regulatory and sector-specific considerations to support investment, transactions and operations in the Canadian market.
