Beyond the Checkout Line : Supporting Canadian Growth Through Private Investment

Every year, moments of national pride bring Canadians together—whether it’s celebrating our history, cheering for our athletes, or sharing a meal made with homegrown ingredients. During these times, the message to “Buy Canadian” often gains momentum, encouraging us to support local businesses, farms, and retailers.

But supporting Canada doesn’t have to stop at the grocery store. There are also ways to align your investment portfolio with Canadian growth—and one of the lesser-known pathways to do this is through the exempt market.

What Does It Mean to Invest in Canada?

When most people think about investing in Canadian companies, they picture the public markets: stocks listed on the TSX or mutual funds that hold a basket of familiar names. But Canada’s economic backbone includes thousands of private businesses—real estate projects, infrastructure initiatives, emerging technologies, and specialized industries—that often don’t show up on public exchanges. These are the companies building new rental housing, expanding renewable energy infrastructure, scaling advanced manufacturing, or rethinking how we transport goods across the country. Many of these ventures raise capital privately through the exempt market, giving eligible investors the chance to participate in their growth.

Understanding the Exempt Market

The exempt market refers to a segment of the financial world where companies can raise capital from investors without going through a public listing. These investments are typically accessed through a regulated process and are only available to individuals who meet certain financial criteria.

Why invest through the exempt market? For some investors, it’s the opportunity to access a part of the economy that isn’t available through traditional routes. These offerings can include:

• Canadian real estate development projects

• Private equity in homegrown businesses

• Infrastructure and energy initiatives

• Asset-backed lending in local sectors

By investing in these types of opportunities, Canadians can support national economic growth while potentially diversifying their own portfolios.

Why Now Is a Good Time to Rethink “Buy Canadian”

The last few years have made many of us more conscious of where our money goes. Supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and housing shortages have highlighted how deeply connected our economy is—and how important local resilience can be. For investors, this awareness can translate into more intentional portfolio  choices. While public markets are global by nature, private investing can offer a way to focus more deliberately on Canadian projects and priorities.

Balancing Pride with Planning

Of course, any investment—whether local or global—needs to fit your personal financial goals and risk tolerance. Private investments accessed through the exempt market often have longer time horizons and limited liquidity, so it’s important to understand how these factors fit within your overall strategy. That said, for those who are already diversifying their holdings or seeking a way to tie personal values to financial decisions, investing in Canada’s private sector may be worth a closer look.

The Bottom Line: Supporting Growth, Building Value

Choosing Canadian-grown produce is a great start—but it doesn’t have to end there. If you believe in the future of Canadian innovation, housing, and infrastructure, there are ways to align your investments with that belief. By exploring opportunities in the exempt market, you can contribute to local economic development and position yourself to benefit from the growth of Canadian enterprise.

If you're curious about how to get started, a conversation with a registered Dealing Representative can help you explore whether these options are suitable for your personal investment goals.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Investments available through the exempt market are subject to risk, may not be guaranteed or insured, and may involve limited liquidity. Always consult a registered Dealing Representative to assess the suitability of any private investment based on your financial situation and risk profile.