Canada is one of the world’s most open economies for foreign investment. Canada welcomes and actively encourages investment by non-Canadians, and places few requirements or restrictions on foreign investors.

New Business Investment

Generally, non-Canadians are simply required to file a notification with Investment Canada (notification is not required if an investor has an existing Canadian operation and is expanding in a related line of business)

Acquisition of a Canadian Business

Generally, an acquisition is not reviewable unless the asset value of the Canadian business being acquired exceeds the following thresholds:

• $295 million for investors from World Trade Organization (WTO) countries. An indirect acquisition by a WTO investor is generally not reviewable.
• $5 million for non-WTO investors for a direct acquisition, and $50 million for an indirect acquisition. The $5 million threshold applies for an indirect acquisition if the asset value of the Canadian business being acquired exceeds 50% of the asset value of the global transaction.
• Acquisitions by all non-Canadian investors that involve a few special sectors are subject to review if they exceed the thresholds shown above for non-WTO investors : a) production of uranium and an ownership interest in a uranium producing property, b) financial services, c) transportation services, and d) cultural businesses.

Investment Canada Act FAQ