Tausi Insider

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks during a media availability on legislation to modernize the Investment Canada Act, in Ottawa, on Dec. 7. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press Canadian financial dealmakers are raising the alarm about Ottawa’s proposal to more closely scrutinize national security implications of foreign acquisitions of Canadian companies, warning that such interventions could deter foreign investments and slow impending deals in critical sectors. Last week, Canada announced its biggest overhaul in more than a decade to Investment Canada Act, allowing the government to impose interim conditions to prevent buyers from accessing trade secrets, and to block investments that could compromise national security. Lawyers and industry associations say such conditions could delay and add to the cost of deal making. “There is a concern on how the proposed amendments affect timing of an acquisition,” said Sandy Walker, co-Chair of Competiti...

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks during a media availability on legislation to modernize the Investment Canada Act, in Ottawa, on Dec. 7. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press Canadian financial dealmakers are raising the alarm about Ottawa’s proposal to more closely scrutinize national security implications of foreign acquisitions of Canadian companies, warning that such interventions could deter foreign investments and slow impending deals in critical sectors. Last week, Canada announced its biggest overhaul in more than a decade to Investment Canada Act, allowing the government to impose interim conditions to prevent buyers from accessing trade secrets, and to block investments that could compromise national security. Lawyers and industry associations say such conditions could delay and add to the cost of deal making. “There is a concern on how the proposed amendments affect timing of an acquisition,” said Sandy Walker, co-Chair of Competiti...