Institutional investors are challenged when it comes to scaling up Canadian data-centre allocations, projects and returns, according to experts who will participate in a panel discussion at the Connect North American Investment in Digital Infrastructure & AI conference in Montreal.

According to the panelists, speculative Canadian data-centre investments will be punished, while utility-deposit requirements and regulatory scrutiny will increase. Investors must choose quality over quantity and focus on strong tenant covenants while adopting a long-term view. Also, nuclear and renewable-energy infrastructure tied to data centres need patient capital. Perhaps accordingly, investors should also expect more projects that combine data centres and power generation to come forward.

The one-day event will be held on the afternoon of Feb. 11 at the Allied REIT Meeting Space. Institutional investors will offer their outlook on Canada’s data-centre investment climate in the “Canadian Pension Funds and Digital Infrastructure Allocation session.

Michael Borron of Cushman and Wakefield’s Data Centre Advisory Group will moderate the panel, which is well-positioned to address Canadian pension-fund strategies in the rapidly evolving digital-infrastructure landscape. The panelists will include Louis-Eric Bonin, a senior director with PSP Investments’ infrastructure group; Michael Neuman, U.S. investment lead for La Caisse; and, Daniel Simunac, co-CEO of Stonebridge Financial.

Among other topics, the panelists will weigh in on how data-centre projects challenge their minimum-investment and required-return thresholds. Notably, many of Canada’s data-centre investment opportunities may not be large enough for several of the country’s pension-plan fund managers’ liking because they don’t correspond to their organizations’ investment guidelines and anticipated minimum returns.

The panelists will also assess why data-centre projects are weighted heavily in favour of U.S. locations while Canadian ventures lag behind behind their American peers in scale and investment velocity.

According to the panelists, Canada’s scale constraints make U.S. investment opportunities more attractive to large institutional investors. Conference attendees will receive insights on how that situation can be overcome.

Click here to register for the conference.

Pictured: A Vantage data centre in Montreal.

Photo: Vantage

Digital transformation and the explosive growth of AI are driving unprecedented energy demands in data centers across North America. That’s why every energy investor, vendor, and provider needs to attend Connect North American Investment in Digital Infrastructure & AI in Montreal on February 11. With speakers from BluWave-ai, Hydrogen Energy Research Center, Vantage Data Centers, AVAIO Capital, and more, this is the premier gathering for those shaping the future of energy and technology. This event is your gateway to connect directly with industry leaders, discover the latest opportunities, and gain valuable insights into powering next-generation digital infrastructure. Register today at www.connectdigitalai2026.com