Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2026) - Alternative IQ today announced the Top Contenders for the 2026 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards, the highest honour in Canada's hedge fund industry. Winners will be announced and trophies will be presented on Tuesday, October 20th at the Gala CHFAwards Dinner at One King West Hotel in Toronto.
The annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards program helps investors and their advisors identify the best performing hedge funds by recognizing winners in 7 performance measures across 7 categories as well as the Overall Best 2026 Canadian Hedge Fund. The awards are based solely on quantitative performance data to June 30th, which is collected and tabulated by Fundata Canada to determine the winners.
A total of 321 Canadian Hedge Funds - the highest number ever - were considered for a 2026 Canadian Hedge Fund Award. For the full Directory of Canadian Hedge Funds, check here: http://alternativeiq.com/hf-directory/ where you will also see a chart as at June 30, 2026 of Average Performance by Hedge Fund Category.
In alphabetical order, the Top Contenders for 2026 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards are:
Overall Best 2026 Canadian Hedge Fund:
(based on 10 year best combined annualized return and Sharpe ratio).
AIP Convertible Private Debt Fund LP
Canoe Energy Alpha Fund LP
Groundlayer Alpha Fund LP
Kipling Global Enhanced Dividend Fund
Lumen Long Short Equity Fund
Maxam Value Fund
MMCap Canadian Fund
PICTON Long Short Equity Fund
Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund
SMI Defensive LP
2026 CHFAwards - Top Contenders - Equity Focused:
| Best 1 Year Return | Best 3 Year Return |
| Agilith North American Diversified Fund Bromma Resource Canada Access Fund BT Global Growth Fund LP Lucida Opportunities Fund LP Lynwood Opportunities Fund Maxam Value Fund Palos WP Growth Fund Pathfinder Resource Fund Primevestfund WZR Growth Fund LP | Agilith North American Diversified Fund Maxam Value Fund MMCap Canadian Fund Optimist Fund Palos WP Growth Fund Pathfinder Resource Fund Peregrine Investment Management Fund LP Portland Focused Plus Fund LP Primevestfund Venator Select Fund |
| Best 5 Year Return | Best 10 year Return |
| Agilith North American Diversified Fund Canoe Energy Alpha Fund LP Hillsdale Global Equity Fund Kipling Global Enhanced Dividend Fund Kipling Global Enhanced Growth Fund Lumen Long Short Equity Fund Pathfinder Resource Fund Primevestfund ROMC Fund Viking Global Value Fund | Agilith North American Diversified Fund Canoe Energy Alpha Fund LP Dynamic Global Growth Opportunities Fund Groundlayer Alpha Fund LP Maxam Value Fund MMCap Canadian Fund Pathfinder Partners' Fund Peregrine Investment Management Fund LP Portland Focused Plus Fund LP Primevestfund |
| Best 3 Year Sharpe Ratio | Best 5 Year Sharpe Ratio |
| Focus Tactical Equity Strategy Hillsdale Canadian Long/Short Equity Fund Hillsdale Global Equity Fund Jemekk Long/Short Fund LP Kipling Global Enhanced Dividend Fund Maxam Value Fund Pathfinder Resource Fund PICTON Long Short Equity Fund ROMC Fund SMI Defensive LP | Canoe Energy Alpha Fund LP Hillsdale Canadian Long/Short Equity Fund Hillsdale Global Equity Fund Kipling Global Enhanced Dividend Fund Kipling Global Enhanced Growth Fund Lumen Long Short Equity Fund PICTON Long Short Equity Fund ROMC Fund SMI Defensive LP Wealhouse Lions Bay Fund |
| Best 10 Year Sharpe Ratio | |
| Canoe Energy Alpha Fund LP Groundlayer Alpha Fund LP Kipling Global Enhanced Dividend Fund Kipling Global Enhanced Growth Fund Lumen Long Short Equity Fund Maxam Value Fund MMCap Canadian Fund PICTON Long Short Equity Fund SMI Defensive LP Waratah Income |
2026 CHFAwards - Top Contenders - Credit Focused:
| Best 1 Year Return | Best 3 Year Return |
| BlueBay Event Driven Credit Fund (Canada) East Coast Strategic Credit Trust Goodwood Milford Fund Kipling Strategic Income Fund Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund RP Select Opportunities Fund Wealhouse Amplus Credit Income Fund YTM Capital Credit Opportunities Fund | Algonquin Debt Strategies Fund LP BlueBay Event Driven Credit Fund (Canada) East Coast Strategic Credit Trust Focus Credit Opportunities Fund Goodwood Milford Fund Kipling Strategic Income Fund Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund RP Select Opportunities Fund Wealhouse Amplus Credit Income Fund YTM Capital Credit Opportunities Fund |
| Best 5 Year Return | Best 10 year Return |
| Algonquin Debt Strategies Fund LP East Coast Strategic Credit Trust Focus Credit Opportunities Fund Goodwood Milford Fund Kipling Strategic Income Fund Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund RP Select Opportunities Fund Wealhouse Amplus Credit Income Fund YTM Capital Credit Opportunities Fund | Algonquin Debt Strategies Fund LP Davis Rea Enhanced Income Fund East Coast Strategic Credit Trust PICTON Credit Opportunities Fund PICTON Long Short Income Fund Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund RP Debt Opportunities Fund RP Select Opportunities Fund YTM Capital Credit Opportunities Fund |
| Best 3 Year Sharpe Ratio | Best 5 Year Sharpe Ratio |
| Algonquin Debt Strategies Fund LP East Coast Strategic Credit Trust Kipling Strategic Income Fund PICTON Credit Opportunities Fund PICTON Long Short Income Fund Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund RP Select Opportunities Fund Wealhouse Amplus Credit Income Fund YTM Capital Credit Opportunities Fund | Algonquin Debt Strategies Fund LP East Coast Strategic Credit Trust Focus Credit Opportunities Fund Kipling Strategic Income Fund Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund RP Debt Opportunities Fund RP Select Opportunities Fund Wealhouse Amplus Credit Income Fund YTM Capital Credit Opportunities Fund |
| Best 10 Year Sharpe Ratio | |
| Algonquin Debt Strategies Fund LP Davis Rea Enhanced Income Fund East Coast Strategic Credit Trust PICTON Credit Opportunities Fund PICTON Long Short Income Fund Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund RP Debt Opportunities Fund RP Select Opportunities Fund YTM Capital Credit Opportunities Fund |
2026 CHFAwards - Top Contenders - Market Neutral:
| Best 1 Year Return | Best 3 Year Return |
| Altema Diversified Equity Market Neutral Fund Caravel Capital (Canada) Fund CC&L Diversified Market Neutral Fund CC&L Global Market Neutral The HGC Fund LP PCJ Absolute Return PICTON Arbitrage Fund PICTON Arbitrage Plus Fund PICTON Market Neutral Equity Fund Waratah One X | Caravel Capital (Canada) Fund CC&L Diversified Market Neutral Fund CC&L Global Market Neutral Formula Growth Alpha Fund The HGC Fund LP PCJ Absolute Return PICTON Arbitrage Fund PICTON Arbitrage Plus Fund PICTON Market Neutral Equity Fund Waratah One X |
| Best 5 Year Return | Best 10 year Return |
| Altema Diversified Equity Market Neutral Fund Caravel Capital (Canada) Fund CC&L Diversified Market Neutral Fund CC&L Global Market Neutral The HGC Fund LP PCJ Absolute Return PICTON Arbitrage Fund PICTON Arbitrage Plus Fund PICTON Market Neutral Equity Fund Waratah One X | CC&L Diversified Market Neutral Fund Formula Growth Alpha Fund The HGC Fund LP PCJ Absolute Return PICTON Arbitrage Fund PICTON Market Neutral Equity Fund Waratah One X |
| Best 3 Year Sharpe Ratio | Best 5 Year Sharpe Ratio |
| Caravel Capital (Canada) Fund CC&L Diversified Market Neutral Fund CC&L Global Market Neutral Formula Growth Alpha Fund The HGC Fund LP PCJ Absolute Return PICTON Arbitrage Fund PICTON Arbitrage Plus Fund PICTON Market Neutral Equity Fund Waratah One X | Altema Diversified Equity Market Neutral Fund Caravel Capital (Canada) Fund CC&L Diversified Market Neutral Fund CC&L Global Market Neutral The HGC Fund LP PCJ Absolute Return PICTON Arbitrage Fund PICTON Arbitrage Plus Fund PICTON Market Neutral Equity Fund Waratah One X |
| Best 10 Year Sharpe Ratio | |
| CC&L Diversified Market Neutral Fund Formula Growth Alpha Fund The HGC Fund LP PCJ Absolute Return PICTON Arbitrage Fund PICTON Market Neutral Equity Fund Waratah One X |
2026 CHFAwards - Top Contenders - Global Macro/Managed Futures/Multi-Strategy:
| Best 1 Year Return | Best 3 Year Return |
| Barometer Global Macro Pool CC&L Absolute Return Fund Fieldhouse Global Managed Futures The K2 Principal Fund LP Koi Arbitrage Fund MacNicol & Associates Absolute Return Fund Palos Income Fund, LP SIA ML Global Tactical Pool Viewpoint Enhanced Global Multi-Asset Viewpoint Global Multi-Asset Trust | Barometer Global Macro Pool CC&L Absolute Return Fund Fieldhouse Global Managed Futures MacNicol & Associates Absolute Return Fund Meckelborg MFG Diversified Strategy Fund Palos Income Fund, LP SIA ML Global Tactical Pool Viewpoint Enhanced Global Multi-Asset Viewpoint Global Multi-Asset Trust |
| Best 5 Year Return | Best 10 year Return |
| CC&L Absolute Return Fund MacNicol & Associates Absolute Return Fund Palos Income Fund, LP PICTON Multi-Strategy Alpha Fund SIA ML Global Tactical Pool SMI Opportunities LP Viewpoint Enhanced Global Multi-Asset Viewpoint Global Multi-Asset Trust Westcourt Performance Portfolio | AIP Convertible Private Debt Fund LP CC&L Absolute Return Fund The K2 Principal Fund LP MacNicol & Associates Absolute Return Fund Meckelborg MFG Diversified Strategy Fund Palos Income Fund, LP PH&N Absolute Return Fund Polar Multi-Strategy Fund (Canada) RBC Multi-Strategy Alpha Fund SMI Opportunities LP |
| Best 3 Year Sharpe Ratio | Best 5 Year Sharpe Ratio |
| AIP Convertible Private Debt Fund LP CC&L Absolute Return Fund IP Alternative Strategies Fund MacNicol & Associates Absolute Return Fund Palos Income Fund, LP PICTON Multi-Strategy Alpha Fund Polar Multi-Strategy Fund (Canada) RBC Multi-Strategy Alpha Fund SIA ML Global Tactical Pool | CC&L Absolute Return Fund Northfront Alternative Asset Fund Palos Income Fund, LP PICTON Multi-Strategy Alpha Fund Polar Multi-Strategy Fund (Canada) RBC Multi-Strategy Alpha Fund SIA ML Global Tactical Pool SMI Opportunities LP Westcourt Performance Portfolio |
| Best 10 Year Sharpe Ratio | |
| AIP Convertible Private Debt Fund LP CC&L Absolute Return Fund The K2 Principal Fund LP MacNicol & Associates Absolute Return Fund MacNicol & Associates Alternative Asset Trust Meckelborg MFG Diversified Strategy Fund Palos Income Fund, LP Polar Multi-Strategy Fund (Canada) RBC Multi-Strategy Alpha Fund TURN8 Alternative Fund |
2026 CHFAwards - Top Contneders - Private Debt:
| Best 1 Year Return | Best 3 Year Return |
| AGF SAF Private Credit LP Bridgeport Alternative Income Fund Celernus Pivot Private Credit Fund Evergreen GAP Debt LP Glengarry Funding Trust KIWI Business Credit Fund LP Merchant Opportunities Fund LP Purpose Mezzanine Private Debt LP Westbridge Capital Partners Income Trust Yorkville Private Lending LP | AGF SAF Private Credit LP Celernus Pivot Private Credit Fund Cortland Credit Strategies LP Evergreen GAP Debt LP Glengarry Funding Trust KIWI Business Credit Fund LP Merchant Opportunities Fund LP Westbridge Capital Partners Income Trust Westmount Alternative Income Fund Yorkville Private Lending LP |
| Best 5 Year Return | Best 10 year Return |
| Bridgeport Alternative Income Fund Celernus Pivot Private Credit Fund Cortland Credit Strategies LP Evergreen GAP Debt LP Invico Diversified Income Fund Kinsted Strategic Income Pool Merchant Opportunities Fund LP Westbridge Capital Partners Income Trust Yorkville Private Lending LP | Cortland Credit Strategies LP Invico Diversified Income Fund Merchant Opportunities Fund LP Next Edge Private Debt Fund Portland Private Income Fund |
2026 CHFAwards - Top Contenders - Private Equity
| Best 1 Year Return | Best 3 Year Return |
| Bridgeport Private Equity Opportunities Fund Caldwell Growth Opportunities Fund Franklin Lexington PE Secondaries Fund Kinsted Strategic Growth Pool MacNicol & Associates Emergence Fund Morningside Vintage Secondary 2022 LP Morningside Vintage Secondary 2023 LP Portland Global Sustainable Evergreen LP WBY Private Markets Pool Yorkville Pre-IPO Equity LP | Bridgeport Private Equity Opportunities Fund Caldwell Growth Opportunities Fund Canoe Global Private Equity Fund Fiera Global Private Equity Fund Kinsted Strategic Growth Pool Morningside Vintage Secondary 2022 LP Morningside Vintage Secondary 2023 LP Portland Global Sustainable Evergreen LP Yorkville Pre-IPO Equity LP |
| Best 5 Year Return | |
| Bridgeport Private Equity Opportunities Fund Canoe Global Private Equity Fund Fiera Global Private Equity Fund Kinsted Strategic Growth Pool Portland Global Sustainable Evergreen LP Yorkville Pre-IPO Equity LP |
2026 CHFAwards - Top Contenders - Mortgage Funds
| Best 1 Year Return | Best 3 Year Return |
| ACM Commercial Mortgage Fund Antrim Balanced Mortgage Fund Cameron Stephens High Yield Mortgage Trust (CSMT) Capital Direct 1 Income Trust Sterling Mortgage Income Fund Trez Capital Prime Trust Trez Capital Yield Trust Trez Capital Yield Trust US Canadian Class Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund YTM Capital Mortgage Income Fund | Antrim Balanced Mortgage Fund Cameron Stephens High Yield Mortgage Trust (CSMT) Capital Direct 1 Income Trust Sterling Mortgage Income Fund Trez Capital Prime Trust Trez Capital Yield Trust Trez Capital Yield Trust US Canadian Class Vault Real Property Secured Debt Fund Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund YTM Capital Mortgage Income Fund |
| Best 5 Year Return | Best 10 year Return |
| Alitis Private Mortgage Fund Antrim Balanced Mortgage Fund Cameron Stephens High Yield Mortgage Trust (CSMT) Capital Direct 1 Income Trust Sterling Mortgage Income Fund Trez Capital Yield Trust Trez Capital Yield Trust US Canadian Class Vault Real Property Secured Debt Fund Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund YTM Capital Mortgage Income Fund | ACM Commercial Mortgage Fund Alitis Private Mortgage Fund Antrim Balanced Mortgage Fund Capital Direct 1 Income Trust Capstone Mortgage Pool Celernus Mortgage and Income Trust Fund Trez Capital Prime Trust Trez Capital Yield Trust Westboro Mortgage Investment Fund YTM Capital Mortgage Income Fund |
The 19th Annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards Gala Dinner will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 in the Grand Banking Hall at One King West Hotel, Toronto
The 2026 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards will be announced, and trophies presented to the Winners, at the Annual Gala Awards Dinner. A networking Cocktail Reception begins at 5:00pm and dinner will commence at 6:30pm.
Fundata Canada is the Principal Sponsor of the 2026 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards program. This year's CHFA Program and its Gala Awards Dinner would simply not be possible without their generous support and that of all the sponsors and event partners including National Bank, Newsfile, SGGG Fund Services and TD Securities.
Interested fund managers, investors, and industry experts can find out more information and purchase tickets here: www.alternativeiq.com, or contact:
Julie Makepeace
Managing Director, Alternative IQ
jmakepeace@alliancesalesandmarketing.com
416-906-3782
About Alternative IQ: Alternative IQ is dedicated to celebrating, supporting and expanding Canada's Hedge Fund Industry. AIQ produces the annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards program and its presentation events (performance as at June 30th). Alternative IQ also produces the annual CHFA Winners Showcase Investor Conferences, at which the Managers of award-winning hedge funds present to investors. AIQ maintains the most comprehensive directory of hedge funds in Canada and produces various conferences, programs and publications serving the hedge fund industry in Canada. Alternative IQ is a division of Alliance Sales and Marketing, Inc.
About the Annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards: The Annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards were first held in 2008 and have a two-fold objective: first, to recognize and celebrate the talent in Canada's hedge fund industry and, second, to raise awareness of that expertise throughout the wider investment community. The Canadian Hedge Fund Awards are based solely on quantitative performance data to June 30th, with Fundata Canada managing the collection and tabulation of the data to determine the winners.
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