How Global Companies are Mitigating Risk: Insights from the Conference of Paris

Over the past year, a clear shift has emerged in how global companies are approaching expansion decisions. This was unmistakable at the Conference of Paris, a long-standing, invitation-only forum that convenes senior executives, policymakers, and investors for discussions on global investment, energy transition, and industrial strategy.

One message came through loud and clear: companies are advancing projects only in jurisdictions where risks are understood and addressed early.

Here in Nova Scotia, Canada, this has important implications for how we compete and position ourselves in an increasingly selective global investment landscape.

What We Heard Directly from Global Executives

Executives spoke candidly about the pressure to deliver projects that meet sustainability targets, safeguard supply chains, and satisfy shareholders, all at the same time. As a result, they are prioritizing locations that can provide:

• Clear guidance on permitting and regulatory requirements
• Realistic plans for infrastructure upgrades including when and if roads, ports, utilities, or other assets will be built or upgraded
• Consistent and supportive government engagement 

Several companies shared that they had to pause or re-scope projects when permitting, infrastructure stalls or workforce challenges couldn’t be resolved early.

Why Nova Scotia’s Agility is a Differentiator

These conversations reinforced that Nova Scotia’s ability to act as an integrated, agile jurisdiction is a key advantage. By quickly mobilizing programs, infrastructure, and talent, the province responds efficiently to project realities. Smaller, coordinated regions like Nova Scotia stand out because they can align effort across government, industry, and research institutions, reducing risk and accelerating delivery.

Our Priority Sectors

Discussions in Paris highlighted sectors where global demand aligns strongly with Nova Scotia’s strengths:

• Clean energy and offshore wind, where long development timelines heighten the importance of marine infrastructure, and regulatory understanding from the outset.
• Defence, security, and dual-use technologies, as companies seek trusted, NATO-aligned jurisdictions that offer vibrant innovation ecosystems, a capable workforce and reliable government partnerships.
• Advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, particularly where applied research, skilled talent, and coordinated delivery across government, industry, and research partners support responsible scale-up.
• Mining and critical minerals, where demand favours jurisdictions able to provide efficiency, clarity, and certainty on regulatory processes while ensuring resource development is done responsibly.

A Focused Approach to Investment Attraction

What I heard in Paris confirmed the need for focus in how we pursue investment attraction. It is imperative to focus on projects that align with our strengths, and to be clear about what Nova Scotia can deliver today, as well as the path forward for companies to start and scale here.

At Invest Nova Scotia, this means prioritizing engagement where long-term demand, policy alignment, and infrastructure planning and capacity intersect. It also means being transparent with companies while remaining committed to removing barriers and improving processes as projects advance.

Looking Ahead

The jurisdictions that succeed over the next decade will be those that combine strong fundamentals with trust built through consistent action. The conversations in Paris made clear that companies are watching not just what governments say, but how they follow through.

Nova Scotia can continue differentiating itself by showing up early, engaging honestly, and delivering at the pace global companies expect. We look forward to continuing these conversations at PDAC 2026, March 1–4, and beyond.

Connect with Chandra Pottle, Vice President, Investment Attraction.