American Attractiveness: Growing Numbers for Montreal

The relocation of institutions like the Siebel Institute, which cites complex US regulatory policies for international students as a primary reason, highlights Montreal's comparative advantages.

Investment Flows and Job Creation

Recent data confirms a strong and growing economic link with the United States.

• Foreign Investment (2024): A significant portion of Montreal's foreign investment originates from the US.

• While exact 2024 figures vary by source, it has been noted that 46% of investments come from the United States (figure from the first half of the previous year), underscoring their dominant role.

• Job Creation: These investments have led to the creation of thousands of new jobs (nearly 1,866 jobs in one report, with a high average salary of $101,000).

• Ongoing Projects: The organization Montréal International has recently supported many American projects, reflecting a constant appeal for the city, particularly in the sectors of Artificial Intelligence, video games, and clean technologies.

• For example, in 2025, 11 American projects represented a value of $802 million.

Demographics and Foot Traffic

While precise 2024 data on the number of US citizens residing in Montreal is not readily available, census data (2021) points to tens of thousands of people born in the United States or holding American citizenship in the Montreal CMA.

The arrival of an institution like the Siebel Institute, which attracts students globally, will increase temporary foot traffic and the demand for student/transitional housing in the eastern sector of the city (the new location is near the historic Molson site).

Economic and Social Impact: Beyond Beer

The establishment of the Siebel Institute, which is an addition to the Lallemand ecosystem (a Quebec-based owner), will have multiple impacts:

Local and Specialized Economic Impact

• Brewing Hub of Excellence: The presence of this renowned school reinforces Montreal's status as an international centre of expertise for food and beverage.

  It attracts highly specialized students, boosting the hospitality, restaurant, and local microbrewery sectors (a spillover effect).

• Commercial/Mixed-Use Real Estate: The relocation creates demand for specialized commercial/educational spaces.

• Choosing a location near the former Molson brewery adds heritage value and supports the urban revitalization of that neighbourhood.

Social and Residential Market Impact

• Housing Demand: The influx of international Siebel Institute students will exert pressure, albeit minimal, on the adjacent residential rental market, particularly for short- or medium-term housing.

• Cultural Diversity and Safety: Montreal's reputation for its vibrant, safe, and culturally rich environment is an explicit factor in the Institute's choice.

This factor contributes to urban quality of life and is a major asset in attracting other foreign companies and professionals.

You can check out the coverage of the announcement here: World-famous brewing institution leaving U.S. for Canada - YouTube.

 This short CTV News report covers the announcement of the Siebel Institute of Technology's move from Chicago to Montreal

The arrival of the Siebel Institute is a micro-event that perfectly illustrates a macro-phenomenon: the Montreal metropolitan area is increasingly positioning itself as a strategic and stable alternative to American business centres for companies seeking a skilled workforce and international access without the growing regulatory constraints of certain US regions.

Recent American Establishments (2024-2025)

The organization Montréal International (MI) is the main source of data on attracting foreign investment, and their reports highlight the predominance of the United States.

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sector:

The AI sector is by far the largest driver of recent American investment:

• Cohere (July 3, 2025): This American generative AI leader opened an office in Montreal, setting up within the Mila (Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute) ecosystem.

This office is initially expected to employ around 20 people, reinforcing the concentration of AI talent in the metropolis.

• Four New AI Projects (April 2025): MI announced the arrival of four new projects in artificial intelligence, three of which are from the United States.

These include:

• SafelyYou (US): Uses AI to prevent and detect falls, and plans to hire up to 50 experts over the next three years in Montreal.

• Ampliwork (US): Focuses on AI agents for businesses.

• Terzo (US): A platform aimed at optimizing finance.

2. Video Game and Entertainment Sector

• Hasbro (September 30, 2025): The American company is expanding in Montreal with the opening of a new video game studio dedicated specifically to the Dungeons & Dragons franchise.

Video game studios are traditionally a key sector for American attractiveness in Montreal.

3. Specialized Sectors (Technology and Organizations)

• World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) (September 19, 2025): Although an international organization, it is closely linked to businesses.

  It opened an office in Montreal to assess the environmental and social impact of companies, underscoring Montreal's importance in sustainable finance and achieving sustainable development goals.

• GE Vernova (September 18, 2025): Investment in clean energy and energy transition in La Prairie (South Shore of Montreal), celebrating 60 years of innovation and aligning with Quebec's push for electrification.

Key Data on the Impact of American Investment (2024 Report)

The overall figures confirm that the United States remains the primary engine of foreign investment in Montreal.

It is clear that we are noticing a major strategic trend where the United States is injecting billions and creating thousands of highly specialized jobs in Montreal.

The AI sector is presently leading this wave, consolidating the city's reputation as a leading technology hub in North America, but the trend is spreading.