Ardian Helps Canada’s Largest Pensions Exit Buyout Funds

Ardian is increasingly a buyer of private equity assets from Canadian pension plans, as institutional investors turn to the secondary market to free up cash following a prolonged period of low deal activity.

Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec was the first Canadian pension to invest in Paris-based Ardian’s funds, and others in the so-called Maple Eight have since committed to several of the manager’s strategies. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board drummed up around C$2 billion ($1.5 billion) from selling 20 fund stakes to Ardian in 2023, while British Columbia Investment Management Corp. sold about $1 billion of private equity fund stakes in 2024.