Barton\u2019s new role is one of the most high-profile signals yet that Canada\u2019s government is seeking to woo the investor community by tapping leaders active in the sectors it wants to boost most. And Invest in Canada\u2019s sudden leadership shakeup comes at a crucial time in Canada\u2019s mining industry, weeks before the federal government co-hosts a major investment summit.<\/p>\n
Barton, who replaces former Ontario cabinet minister Laurel Broten, is a former ambassador to China, the world\u2019s leading producer of critical minerals, and chair of LeapFrog Investments, which invests in emerging markets. Barton is also listed as a partner at artificial intelligence venture capital firm Radical Ventures.<\/p>\n
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\t \t \n\tBy Carney has said he aims<\/a> to establish a global critical minerals \u201cbuyers\u2019 club\u201d with other G7 countries as part of its push to diversify trade, an approach that has gotten broad support<\/a> from the mining industry. But the federal government reportedly faced<\/a> pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s administration to give the United States more exclusive access.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have things like critical minerals, many other aspects that the world wants, and so we\u2019re going to continue to pursue that,\u201d Carney said late last month, after trade negotiations with the U.S. collapsed, touting the number of critical investments the country has made over the past year.<\/p>\n Rio Tinto has been one beneficiary of the federal spending. In May, the government awarded<\/a> Rio $100 million to advance low-carbon aluminum production from its Strategic Response Fund, which is focused on securing large-scale domestic projects. The Canada Growth Fund pledged $25 million late last year to buy<\/a> scandium from Rio Tinto, and Natural Resources Canada granted $13.6 million to the company in March for its titanium business after the division closed an associated plant in Quebec last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Barton\u2019s new role will include liaising with global investors and co-ordinating with Canada\u2019s Major Projects Office, which orchestrates<\/a> permitting and financing for other mining companies\u2019 projects. The government and its co-host pension funds, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Public Sector Pension Investment Board, are expected to present<\/a> a \u201cCanada Dealbook\u201d of projects for foreign investors to consider at this month\u2019s summit, supported by Invest in Canada\u2019s foreign-direct investing framework. Louis B\u00e9langer, Invest in Canada\u2019s spokesperson, said Barton was not available for an interview, but clarified that the organization\u2019s board does not oversee or make decisions regarding which investment opportunities are featured in the dealbook.<\/p>\n Barton himself directed The Logic to Invest in Canada\u2019s response when reached while travelling on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n\tLaura Osman, Chaimae Chouiekh and Catherine McIntyre\n\t<\/p>\n