“It’s encouraging to see the Canadian M&A market shifting in a optimistic path, with dealmakers demonstrating renewed confidence,” says Sean Rowe, Nationwide Offers Market and Worth Creation Chief at PwC Canada. “The consistency of transactions displays a market that isn’t solely resilient but in addition strategically targeted on worth creation. As we glance forward, the size of offers and the momentum in native transactions sign a robust basis for development and innovation throughout key sectors in 2026.”
Home consumers take the lead
One of the vital notable shifts is the rise of Canadian-on-Canadian offers which now signify roughly half of complete transactions, and PwC expects home capital to proceed anchoring {the marketplace} into 2026.
However financial uncertainty stays a headwind with actual GDP contracting 1.6% annualized in Q2 2025 and forecast to develop beneath 1% by way of 2026, with unemployment hovering close to 7%. Strategic consolidation stays a precedence.
Michael Dobner, Nationwide Chief of Economics and Coverage Observe at PwC Canada, famous: “We’re seeing dealmakers sharply targeted on buying new capabilities that not solely sort out in the present day’s challenges but in addition construct lasting worth.”
The place the offers will occur
The federal funds in November 2025 mapped clear areas of government-supported alternative: defence, power, essential minerals, AI and housing. And with Ottawa signalling dedication, personal traders seem able to comply with.
