A company based in Vancouver is encouraging Canadians to consider keeping some of their investment funds within the country to make a positive impact. Despite the ongoing flow of money towards the United States, a movement promoting “Buy Canadian” gained momentum in 2025 due to the tariff war and statements made by former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Canadian investors predominantly continued to place their financial resources offshore, predominantly in the U.S.
Financial experts suggest that the enthusiasm for investing in Canada may have waned since the start of 2025, similar to the Buy Canadian trend. Daisy Mak, a certified financial planner at Vancouver Financial Planning Consultants Inc., mentioned that while Canadian banking and insurance sectors remain attractive for investment, other sectors like technology and pharmaceuticals in Canada still need development. She emphasized the importance of including Canadian investments in a diversified portfolio that considers other countries as well.
Statistics Canada data from the first three quarters of 2025 revealed that Canadian investors acquired $111 billion in U.S. financial assets, comprising 92% of total foreign securities acquisitions. Despite this trend, Blake Bunting, co-founder of GoParity Canada in Vancouver, noticed an increased interest in local investments through their online platform. GoParity facilitates community lending for projects such as clean energy initiatives on Vancouver Island and an Indigenous-run daycare in Stephenville, N.S.
A report by the Responsible Investment Association highlighted the continued importance of well-certified investments through an environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) framework for wealth managers. Despite pushback against such frameworks, including climate change mitigation efforts, responsible investment practices remain valued. Negative media coverage has been identified as a top factor that could hinder the growth of responsible investing, surpassing concerns about greenwashing.
For Bunting, GoParity offers investors the opportunity to support environmentally sustainable projects while earning returns, such as a rooftop solar project in Port Hardy. By providing alternative funding options for small businesses, platforms like GoParity aim to bridge gaps left by traditional banking institutions and support businesses in need of financing.