CCI Statement on Updates to the Investment Canada Act

This week, the federal government announced updates to the Investment Canada Act’s national security review guidelines, recognizing the role of economic security in assessing foreign investments. This change strengthens Canada’s ability to safeguard critical industries, intellectual property, and supply chains from harmful foreign influence. In response, CCI President Benjamin Bergen has issued the following statement on behalf of our members:

"We are pleased to see Minister Champagne’s move to update the assessment guidelines under the Investment Canada Act to include economic security as a potential reason to block a foreign investment in Canadian companies—a step CCI has long advocated for.

"For years, CCI has called for a more proactive and strategic approach to safeguarding Canada’s innovation economy. We have long called for policies that enable Canadian companies to scale globally while ensuring critical technologies and industries remain in Canadian hands.

"In 2021, we supported the government’s stronger stance on protecting critical technologies, and in 2020, 2023, and 2024, we presented to Parliamentary committees on the need for more robust safeguards against foreign takeovers.

"Our positioning on the risks of foreign direct investment without strategic oversight are well-documented.

"High-growth technology companies are the best possible vehicles for driving productivity growth and wealth creation for Canada.

"As these new guidelines take shape, we encourage Minister Champagne to engage meaningfully with leaders in the tech sector to ensure they are implemented in a way that fosters a thriving homegrown innovation economy in Canada."

Media Contact:
James McLeod
Director of Communications & Content
jmcleod@canadianinnovators.org