Indian Companies in Canada

TANGIBLE INVESTMENTS

The second survey edition of this report found that the aggregate amount of tangible investments made by Indian companies in Canada is nearly CAD 11 billion, a substantial increase compared to the CAD 6.6 billion reported in the first edition. 

The investments made since inception reflect capital expenditure which includes real estate, fixed assets, machinery and technology, as well as mergers and acquisition activity.

While most companies show a single entity presence in the country, several technology and pharmaceutical companies reported having a number of subsidiaries to maximize investment impact and enhance proximity to their customer base.

The sample size of 50 Indian companies that reported into the survey only points to a much higher investment amount on the ground, as the estimated number of Indian headquartered-companies present in Canada is close to 75-80.

EMPLOYMENT GENERATION

The collective sum of jobs created by Indian companies who responded to the survey is over 33,000, which includes both full-time and part-time hires. Indian investment generates employment throughout most of the country – in 8 out of the 10 provinces in Canada.

To be noted is that the survey reports only direct employment figures, and does not extrapolate the additional employment and opportunities created by Indian investment. It is important to acknowledge the amplifying effect of indirect employment for which Indian Industry is responsible through supporting industries and ancillary services.

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The sectoral landscape has both broadened and diversified since 2023, reflecting the evolving priorities of Indian industry in Canada and the growing complexity of the bilateral economic relationship.

For the first time, Information Technology and Telecommunications; Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare; and Manufacturing and Engineering each account for roughly 25% of the main sector categories of all Indian companies operating in Canada. 

This three-way split at the top is a significant shift from 2023, when IT/ITeS sectors primarily led the field. 

Other represented sectors include Energy, Financial Services, Food and Retail, and Mining.


"When CII published the first edition of From India to Canada: Economic Impact and Engagement, we set out to tell a story that was just beginning, of Indian companies creating jobs, advancing innovation, and contributing meaningfully to the communities they call home across Canada. The warm reception to that effort reaffirmed the value of evidence-based advocacy in strengthening bilateral ties.

This second edition builds on that foundation. It reflects not only the continued growth of Indian enterprise in Canada, but a maturing of the bilateral relationship, one that is becoming more diverse in its sectoral spread, more sophisticated in its investment structures, and more deeply embedded in local Canadian economies. With each successive edition, this report fulfils its intended purpose: establishing a living record of Indian industry's growing presence and providing policymakers and business leaders with the evidence needed to accelerate meaningful growth."

-Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII

Remarks from Victor Thomas, President and CEO 

The Canada-India economic relationship has reached a critical juncture, strategically vital and brimming with opportunity. As both nations navigate a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, deepening bilateral economic ties has become essential. Canada’s renewed global engagement now prioritizes its economic relationship with India, and private sector participation from both countries is critical to realizing this vision.

Since the first edition of From India to Canada: Economic Impact and Engagement, the Canada-India corridor has transitioned from promise to momentum. Indian businesses are no longer simply entering the Canadian market—they are becoming integral to it, driving job creation, innovation, and community development across provinces. This second edition captures this deepened presence.

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