Head of federal agency organizing Carney’s investment summit resigns

The head of the federal agency tasked with organizing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s high-stakes Canada Investment Summit is resigning.

Laurel Broten, chief executive officer of Invest in Canada, informed her staff this week that she will be leaving her position, according to a source familiar with the matter. The Globe and Mail is not identifying the source, who was not authorized to disclose that information.

Ms. Broten is a former Ontario cabinet minister and Bay Street litigator. She has led the agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment in Canada since 2022. Messages left on Ms. Broten’s voicemail and an email sent to her personal account were not immediately returned.

Invest in Canada is helping coordinate the Prime Minister’s inaugural gathering of top global business leaders in Toronto on Sept. 14 and 15 alongside two of the country’s largest institutional investors who are serving as co-hosts: The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board.

The summit, which is expected to bring together the largest group of financial decision-makers ever to assemble in Canada, has garnered even more attention in the wake of a rapidly evolving trade war with the United States. As many as 250 executives from 28 countries that collectively manage nearly $120-trillion are expected to attend the event. Mr. Carney is under pressure to deliver on a promise to attract $500-billion in new private-sector investment over the next five years.

Ms. Broten has been playing a key role in planning the summit’s logistical details, including booking venues and selecting plenary session topics. The exact date when her resignation will take effect is unclear, though she announced her departure internally barely two weeks before the most high-profile event in her agency’s history is due to take place.