New polling from IFM Investors finds broad public support for pension fund investment in Canadian infrastructure as Ottawa eyes a $1-trillion investment push
Recent findings suggest Canada's approximately US$4.7-trillion infrastructure gap has public backing for an unconventional funding source: pension capital.
A national survey of nearly 3,000 Canadians, commissioned by Australian pension fund-owned asset manager IFM Investors, found that 67 per cent of respondents are open to pension funds investing in new Canadian infrastructure, according to a press release published by the firm Thursday.
Findings show that nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) said more infrastructure is needed to support the country's economic ambitions, and three-quarters (76 per cent) agreed that experienced pension funds or other infrastructure investors would likely operate infrastructure more efficiently than current arrangements. The findings notably arrive as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to host the Canada Investment Summit next week, a centrepiece of Ottawa's bid to catalyze $1 trillion in total investment over the next five years.
"While Canadians are largely supportive of private capital to fund better and more modern infrastructure, the polling found 'who owns what' matters, with pension capital found to be uniquely trusted to invest in the best interests of Canadians," IFM Investors said in the release.
Airports top the priority list
Carney has signalled that airports will be among the first assets considered for alternative investment models, and the polling supports that direction: 79 per cent of respondents said additional investment in airports is important or needed.
Roughly two-thirds of Canadians polled said they would also be open to Australian pension funds operating existing Canadian infrastructure - a finding that points toward a potential pension capital corridor between the two countries. IFM Investors, which manages C$287.3 billion in assets globally, will participate in the summit alongside major Australian pension funds.
Public ownership remains the condition
While the survey shows appetite for private capital, respondents drew a clear line around ownership. Seventy-nine per cent agreed that leasing infrastructure operations can make sense as long as government continues to own the underlying asset. A similar share (78 per cent) said pension fund investment in existing infrastructure can help raise money for new projects, and 76 per cent said they would be more supportive of pension fund operation if the proceeds fund new infrastructure.
When asked where unlocked capital should go, Canadians pointed to hospitals first: 68 per cent called hospital infrastructure investment urgent, then schools followed at 45 per cent.
Pension capital seen as uniquely trusted
The poll also surfaced a distinction between types of private investors. Respondents viewed pension capital as uniquely trustworthy for operating infrastructure in the public interest, a finding that separates pension funds from other private equity or institutional players in the public's mind.
"Pension funds invest on behalf of working people with a long-term focus, making them well placed to support infrastructure that strengthens economic growth while helping protect the public interest," said Gian-Carlo Peressutti, IFM Investors' executive director of public affairs. "If the government goes down this path, the question of who knows what will matter to Canadians - and it's clear pension capital is considered uniquely palatable."
The survey was conducted online by Spark Insights Research between July 3 and 12, 2026, using a non-probability sample of 2,940 adult residents of Canada, weighted by age, gender, education and region.
