Julian Beltrame, The Canadian Press
THE CHRONICLE-HERALD, BUSINESS, Page: C6
OTTAWA - The Harper government is again under pressure to spell out clear rules on foreign investment following yet another spurned bid and in
advance of the next big ask - the proposed Chinese acquisition of a major Canadian oil company.
NDP and Liberal critics blasted the government for sitting on the issue for two years, saying they now are facing a decision this fall whether to
accept China National Offshore Oil Corp.'s $15.1-billion deal to buy Calgary-based Nexen Inc. without clear guidelines.
Earlier Monday, U.S.-based Lowe's withdrew its bid to acquire the Rona hardware chain, citing the Quebec company's opposition.
But analysts said another consideration was likely the political barriers put up from both leading parties in the province, including the Parti
Quebecois minority government, that might have made approval under the Investment Canada Act problematic.
"We don't know what the Canadian government would have done with the Rona takeover, although clearly the government of Quebec was against it and
that would have been an important factor in the process," said Oliver Borgers, a partner in McCarthy Tetrault's competition law group.
The act calls for a demonstration of a "clear benefit" to Canada, but is unclear what that means beyond that a deal would create or
preserve jobs, and generally benefit the economy.
And that's the problem, say critics - the ambiguity and secrecy of the process allows for too much discretion, including political pressures.
"Ad hockery is what you get when you get when the government is negligent in setting the framework," said Liberal deputy leader Ralph
Goodale, a former finance minister.
"What you've got is complete and utter chaos because it will all boil down to what Stephen Harper had for breakfast this morning and how he's
feeling about it."
The question of political factors coming into play was given more fuel Monday when Conservative MP Rob Anders said he opposed the Nexen takeover,
referring to China as a "non-benevolent country." He added that other MPs in the caucus agree.
NDP energy and natural resources critic Peter Julian called on the government to conduct public hearings on the Nexen bid, accusing the government
of listening mostly to CNOOC lobbyists.
Although he did not answer the question directly, Industry Minister Christian Paradis said the Nexen deal will be "scrutinized very
closely." He added that what the NDP was proposing would "deter any form of investment in the country."
Following the 2010 rejection of BHP Billiton's bid to buy Potash Corp., Ottawa suggested it would clear the confusion of what constitutes "net
benefit" under the act, but has not issued new guidelines. ILLUS: A man carries building supplies from a Rona store in Toronto in July. The Lowe's home
improvement chain is retreating from its controversial plan to buy Rona.; Nathan Denette / CP)
NDP Critic for Canadian Heritage Peter Julian issued the following statement:
"It has come to our attention that a consultant for a federally funded anti-racism project has a disturbing track record of spewing hate speech online against Jewish and francophone communities. This is completely unacceptable. We call on the Minister of Heritage to take drastic action and terminate his contract.
NDP Heritage Critic Peter Julian issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement by Hockey Canada is another attempt to delay the important and urgent work to deal with the toxic culture in this organization. While a former Supreme Court Justice is a credible appointment to conduct the review into Hockey Canada, this won’t be the first time the organization undergoes this process.
NDP critic for Canadian Heritage, Peter Julian, made the following statement:
“Canadians are horrified by the incidents of sexual assault and by what they’re hearing from Hockey Canada. They are left with many questions about how this toxic culture is allowed to persist in our sports organizations and what the government is actually doing to ensure this doesn’t happen again.