Canada Taps Northisle Project for Global Investment Showcase

VANCOUVER, BC – September 11, 2026

In a significant endorsement of both a company and a national strategy, Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.’s North Island Project has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious 2026 Canada Investment Summit Dealbook. This move places the promising copper-gold asset directly in front of the world's largest institutional investors, positioning it as a key project in the federal government's ambitious plan to secure Canada's future as a critical minerals powerhouse.

The selection provides Northisle with unparalleled exposure at the inaugural summit, hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The event is the centerpiece of a national drive to catalyze C$1 trillion in investment over the next five years. For a development-stage company like Northisle, this is more than just a mention in a brochure; it's a clear signal from the highest levels of government that the North Island Project is considered a strategic national asset, ripe for global capital.

A Trillion-Dollar Handshake

The Canada Investment Summit, scheduled for September 14-15 in Toronto, is no ordinary conference. It represents a concerted effort by the Canadian government, in partnership with domestic giants CPP Investments and PSP Investments, to de-risk and spotlight major capital projects for a global audience. With attendees representing a reported C$120 trillion in assets under management, the summit aims to transform Canada’s economic landscape by attracting long-term, patient capital into sectors deemed vital for future growth, with critical minerals at the top of the list.

Prime Minister Carney, whose background as a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England lends significant weight to the initiative, is spearheading this push. The government’s strategy is clear: leverage Canada's stable political environment, rich resource base, and high ESG standards to become the supplier of choice in an increasingly volatile world. The Dealbook, featuring 167 projects, acts as a curated menu of the country's most compelling investment opportunities.

Sam Lee, President & CEO of Northisle, commented on the strategic importance of the inclusion, stating, “The Canada Investment Summit and the Dealbook provide exactly the type of visibility and exposure necessary to attract global institutional capital to support sustainable resource development in Canada.” His comments underscore the symbiotic relationship at play: the government needs high-quality projects to anchor its investment pitch, and projects like North Island need the global platform the government can provide.

The North Island Project: A Cornerstone Asset

So why was the North Island Project chosen? The answer lies in a combination of geology, geography, and responsible planning. Located near Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, the project sits on a massive 34,000-hectare land package in a historically significant mining belt, just northwest of BHP Billiton's formerly productive Island Copper Mine. This isn't uncharted territory; it's a well-understood mineral district with exceptional access to existing infrastructure—a critical factor that lowers development risk and capital costs.

Since 2021, Northisle has aggressively advanced the project, making two significant new discoveries and expanding the known resource base. The company's leadership believes this progress is what caught the government's eye. “We believe the selection of the North Island Project reflects the project’s scale, quality, and developability,” Lee continued. By highlighting its potential to be a long-life, large-scale producer of copper—a metal indispensable for the global energy transition—the project aligns perfectly with the summit's critical minerals focus.

This government spotlight effectively serves as a powerful third-party validation. For global investment funds that may lack deep regional expertise in Canadian mining, the Dealbook inclusion acts as a first-pass filter, signaling that the project meets a national standard for strategic importance and potential viability. It shifts the narrative from a single company's exploration story to a key component of Canada's economic resilience strategy.

A New Blueprint for Sustainable Mining

Beyond the impressive geological metrics and strategic location, Northisle's approach to community and environmental stewardship is a defining feature of the project's appeal. In today's investment climate, particularly for long-horizon capital from pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials are non-negotiable. A failure to secure a social license to operate can derail even the most economically promising project.

Northisle has placed this reality at the core of its strategy. The company respectfully acknowledges its project is located within the territories of the Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation, and Tlatlasikwala First Nation, and has emphasized its commitment to building "authentic, mutually beneficial relationships." This proactive engagement is crucial for de-risking the project from a permitting and social standpoint.

Sam Lee emphasized this point, noting the company’s “focus on meaningful partnerships with First Nations” as a key pillar of its development plan. This approach is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it is about creating a durable, shared value that aligns the project’s success with the prosperity of the local communities. For the global investors gathering in Toronto, this demonstrable commitment to sustainable and equitable development is as valuable as the copper and gold in the ground. The selection for the Dealbook validates Northisle's vision to become a leading sustainable mineral resource company, providing a model for how future Canadian resource projects can and should be built.