Canada’s capital markets feature a variety of methods to taking a private company public, including traditional initial public offerings (IPOs), reverse takeovers (RTOs), Capital Pool Companies (CPCs), direct and dual listing, and Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs).

As we look ahead, and as of September 2024, we anticipate that:

• new and expanded technology offerings, driven by the rapidly evolving application and development of generative AI, will continue to attract significant investment in the capital markets and will be a key factor affecting businesses and the securities and corporate finance industry;
• interest rates will continue to stabilize and lower, as indicated by the Bank of Canada’s third consecutive decrease of its benchmark interest rate to 4.25% on September 4, 2024;
• ESG factors will continue to represent a variety of risks and opportunities for Canadian companies, with increased considerations on supply chains and human rights; and
• ongoing shareholder activist measures, including board seat battles, say-on-pay proposals and opposition to proposed transactions, will continue to be a feature of the capital markets.

As Canada’s Global Law Firm, Dentons is your legal and business partner, supporting you with tailored strategies and advice which are designed to withstand market fluctuations, and offer stability and durability. From start to finish, our team provides comprehensive guidance on every step essential to successfully going public in Canada.

With this in mind, our Securities and Corporate Finance group is pleased to provide the Going Public in Canada Resource Centre, a valuable complementary one-stop shop for all things related to going public. Our complimentary resources, which also offer multi-jurisdictional information, include:

Guide to going public and listing in Canada There are several methods for a private company to become a public company and have its securities listed on a stock exchange in Canada. This guide discusses the various paths to going public in Canada including: initial public offerings, reverse take-overs, direct and dual listings, and more. Download the guide: English  |  French

Going public in Canada brochure Going public is a transformational event as company grows, whether it has a history of operations or is a startup venture. Partner with Dentons to optimize this financing and liquidity opportunity. Take a look at our brochure to find out how we can help you. Download the brochure: English  |  Chinese  |  French

Our Securities and Corporate Finance team has extensive knowledge of, and experience in, the Canadian capital markets. From our offices across Canada, we regularly advise issuers, registrants, security holders and others on a broad range of Canadian securities law matters including the transaction types described in the guide.

Check back regularly as we continue to share the latest going public developments. For timely and regular updates, subscribe to our mailing list. 

We also encourage you to reach out to your local key contact, listed on this page, should you have any questions or wish to discuss your options for going public in Canada.

Insights

Proxy Season Guide 2025

February 3, 2025

The 2025 edition of our Securities and Corporate Finance group’s Proxy Season Guide sets out legislative, regulatory and advisory developments in respect of corporate governance and annual disclosure matters.

Securities and Corporate Finance: 2024 Year in Review and Future Trends

January 21, 2025

2024 was a year of adaptation for Canada's capital markets, marked by economic challenges, technological innovation, regulatory vigilance and shifting investor behaviours.

Chambers and Partners: Corporate Governance Guide 2024

August 23, 2024

Corporate governance in Canada continues to evolve. Diversity continues to be a focus of regulatory and proxy advisory policy change, and for boards, is a key component of ESG concerns.

View all insights for Going public in Canada resource centre

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Eric Lung, Danny Wakeling, Ora Wexler and Bennett Wong discuss how investors can take advantage of the country’s IPO resurgence with Lexpert

August 4, 2021

As Dentons noted back in April, the number of Canadian companies seeking to go public is continuing to rapidly increase, and on pace to reach record levels by the end of this year.

Ora Wexler and Scott Rozansky discuss public capital markets trends with Lexpert

April 19, 2021

Canada has been seeing a boom in IPO activity like never before, giving companies more options to access public markets. As we look ahead, opportunities for Canadian businesses to go public are continuing to trend upwards.

Chuck Spector interviewed by BNN Bloomberg on IPOs and SPACs

March 29, 2021

As part of the launch of Dentons Going Public in Canada Resource Centre, partner and lead of our national Corporate group, Charles Spector, was interviewed by BNN Bloomberg to discuss what challenges might lie ahead for investors who are taking part in the Special Purpose Acquisition Company market boom.

View all press releases for Going public in Canada resource centre