A new survey reveals a strong undercurrent of economic nationalism among Canadians, who largely support developing the country's critical minerals but are deeply wary of foreign money funding those projects.
Sovereignty Trumps Investment Dollars
The poll, conducted by the Angus Reid Institute and published on December 1, 2025, found that nearly 60% of Canadians believe losing sovereignty over natural resources is a greater threat to Canada than missing out on development and jobs due to insufficient investment. This sentiment underpins a cautious approach to foreign capital, even as Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has made critical minerals a central pillar of its economic plan.
These resources, which include nickel, copper, graphite, and lithium, are essential for modern technology, from electronics and electric vehicles to national defence. The government has fast-tracked 11 major projects, five of which are focused on these very minerals.
Public-Private Partnerships Favoured, With Caveats
While the government has stated that the majority of funding for these projects will come from the private sector, the public has clear opinions on the structure. Three-quarters of Canadians believe the government should have a role in funding. Among them, 31% favour a public-private partnership model, while a quarter think new projects should be mostly privately funded.
However, the poll shows significant resistance to foreign ownership. A majority of respondents believe the government should limit foreign investment in critical resources, with only 25% welcoming it outright. This opposition intensifies for specific resources: a majority would ban foreign ownership of fresh water, while significant portions would block foreign investment in oil and gas (27%), uranium (25%), and potash (20%).
Distrust Extends Beyond Adversaries to Allies
Unsurprisingly, Canadians are most opposed to investment from nations like Russia, North Korea, and Iran, though these countries are not typical sources of foreign capital. The stance on China is particularly firm, with almost 60% of polled Canadians saying Chinese companies should be banned from owning stakes in critical resource development. This aligns with recent federal actions, including blocking a Chinese state-owned miner from a Nunavut gold mine in 2020 and forcing divestments from critical mining firms in 2022.
The more striking finding is the skepticism toward Canada's closest ally. More than a third of respondents said the United States should also be banned from investing in Canadian critical resources. This sentiment follows the White House's recent move to acquire a 10% stake in Vancouver-based Trilogy Metals Inc. and a minority stake in Lithium Americas. Industry Minister Melanie Joly has stated such deals will be evaluated individually under the Investment Canada Act.
The poll paints a clear picture: Canadians are eager to develop their resource wealth but are increasingly protective of it, prioritizing long-term sovereignty and control over the immediate influx of foreign investment dollars.
