Dominic Barton to chair Invest in Canada while remaining Rio Tinto board chair

Appointment at Invest in Canada

Rio Tinto chair Dominic Barton has been named chair of Invest in Canada, the federal agency responsible for attracting foreign investment, according to reporting from The Logic. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government announced the move, framing Barton as the figure expected to help "catalyze billions of dollars of new investment in Canadian energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and infrastructure." The appointment places one of the world's most prominent mining executives at the head of a federal agency weeks before Canada co-hosts a major investment summit.

Continuity at Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto confirmed that Barton "remains fully committed to his responsibilities" as chair of the metals giant. Malika Cherry, spokesperson for Rio Tinto Canada, said the company has "established governance policies" for external commitments and that Barton is not among the officers who has registered as a lobbyist for the company. The clarification came as the dual role drew attention because Rio Tinto operates in sectors the agency is targeting.

Conflict-of-interest screen

Privy Council Office spokesperson Pierre-Alain Bujold said Barton, who will be a part-time appointee, has consulted with the federal ethics commissioner and is establishing a conflict-of-interest screen. Such screens require public office holders to abstain from any discussions, decisions, debate or votes concerning matters that could further their private interests. The mechanism is intended to allow Barton to act in both roles without crossing ethical lines as the agency courts capital into minerals and energy.

Barton's background and other roles

Barton is a former Canadian ambassador to China, the world's leading producer of critical minerals, and chair of LeapFrog Investments, which invests in emerging markets. He is also listed as a partner at artificial intelligence venture capital firm Radical Ventures. The breadth of his portfolio underscores why an ethics screen is being put in place before the federal government opens its investor push.

Investment summit timeline

The leadership change lands weeks before the Canada Investment Summit, scheduled for September 14–15, 2026, in Toronto, where Ottawa is expected to court foreign capital into critical minerals, energy and major infrastructure projects. Barton replaces Karl Tabbakh at the chair position, while the agency is also undergoing a CEO transition following Laurel Broten's sudden resignation. The timing positions Barton to take a public role just as the summit convenes.