On March 25, 2015, the Canadian government adopted regulations that significantly affect the foreign investment review framework. The new regulations, which take effect on April 24, 2015, implement the long anticipated changes to the existing thresholds that trigger a net benefit review under the Investment Canada Act (ICA). For investments by World Trade Organization (WTO) private-sector investors, the basis of the net benefit review threshold will change from the "book value" of the target Canadian business's assets to its "enterprise value". Initially, the new threshold amount will be $600 million. This is expected to result in the review of fewer foreign investment proposals to determine whether they are likely to be of net benefit to Canada.
However, foreign investments by state-owned enterprises (SOE) will continue to be subject to the existing standard for the net benefit review threshold, specifically, the "book value" of the target Canadian business's assets. This is in line with the Canadian government's policy on SOEs and will allow greater scrutiny of investments made by foreign SOEs in sectors of the Canadian economy. Investors from non-WTO member countries and foreign investments in Canadian "cultural businesses" will also continue to be subject to the existing net benefit review threshold.
The new regulations also increase significantly the information required from foreign investors, even where there is no net benefit review, in order to provide Canadian security and intelligence agencies with more information about investors and their investments. This change aligns with the Canadian government's authority to conduct a national security review of a foreign investment, where it determines whether an investment could be injurious to national security. Increasingly, such national security reviews are being undertaken. The new regulations have increased the timeline for completing such reviews from 130 days to 200 days, effective immediately on the date of publication, March 25, 2015.
This bulletin provides an overview of the foreign investment landscape in Canada, and the key aspects of the new regulations. All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars.
Overview of Foreign Investment in Canada
The acquisition of control of a Canadian business or the establishment of a new business by a foreign investor in Canada requires compliance with the ICA and its regulations. In some instances, the ICA deems the acquisition of a minority interest in a Canadian business by a non-Canadian investor to be an acquisition of control. Foreign investment proposals require an analysis to determine whether the foreign investor requires a pre-closing approval from the Canadian government.
Monetary thresholds prescribed under the ICA are used to determine whether an investment proposal by a non-Canadian will be reviewed by the Canadian government to assess whether it is likely to be of "net benefit to Canada". All other acquisitions of control of a Canadian business and the establishment of new businesses in Canada by a foreign investor require that a notification be given to the Canadian government within thirty days of closing or, in the case of a new business, its establishment.
In addition to the net benefit review process, the ICA contains national security provisions, which permit the Canadian government to review investments that could be injurious to national security. The federal cabinet may impose any measures that it considers advisable to protect national security. The ICA does not define "national security", which injects significant discretion and corresponding uncertainty into this aspect of the investment review process. Foreign investments constituting the acquisition of a minority holding in a Canadian business or resulting in the establishment of a new Canadian business, or even a foreign entity carrying on all or part of its operations in Canada are all subject to the national security provisions. There are no monetary thresholds for national security reviews, which may be initiated after a transaction has been completed or an investment has been implemented.
New Net Benefit Review Threshold
Monetary thresholds prescribed under the ICA are used to determine whether investment proposals by foreign investors will be reviewed by the Canadian government to assess whether they are likely to be of net benefit to Canada. Under the existing law, a direct acquisition of control of a Canadian business (either a share acquisition or an asset acquisition) by a non-Canadian WTO investor is generally subject to a net benefit review if the "book value" of the assets of the Canadian business exceeds $369 million.
As of April 24, 2015, the threshold determination will be based on the "enterprise value" of the Canadian business. A net benefit review will generally be required if the "enterprise value" of the target Canadian business's assets is $600 million. The threshold will be increased to $800 million in two years, to $1 billion two years later and thereafter, indexed annually to reflect changes in Canada's gross domestic product (GDP).
The regulations set out a detailed formula to determine "enterprise value". Generally, the calculation will be as follows:
- For publicly traded companies, the enterprise value of the assets of the Canadian business is equal to the market capitalization of the entity plus its liabilities (other than operating liabilities) minus its cash and cash equivalents.
- For private companies, the enterprise value of the assets of the Canadian business is equal to the total acquisition value, plus its liabilities (other than its operating liabilities) minus its cash and cash equivalents.
- For an asset acquisition, the enterprise value of the assets of the Canadian business is equal to the total acquisition value, plus its liabilities (other than its operating liabilities) minus its cash and cash equivalents.
The enterprise value is determined based on the date of filing. The formula for calculating the enterprise value and in turn, determining whether a pre-closing approval from the Minister of Industry is required, is complex and should be reviewed to properly assess the foreign investor's obligations under the ICA.
State-Owned Enterprises
The Canadian government will continue to review investments by SOEs under the existing rules. Under the ICA, an SOE is broadly defined and includes not only entities that are owned by a foreign state, but also entities that are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or influenced by a foreign government. Foreign SOE investment proposals are assessed using more extensive factors to determine whether they are likely to be of net benefit to Canada, including whether the target Canadian business would be operated on a commercial basis.
The current $369 million threshold, based on the book value of the Canadian business's assets, will continue to apply to investments by SOEs. The asset value threshold will continue to be indexed annually to reflect changes in Canada's nominal GDP.
Other Investments Excluded from New "Enterprise Value" Rules
The existing book value threshold will continue to apply:
(i) in the case of non-WTO investors, unless the Canadian business is controlled by a WTO investor immediately prior to the implementation of the investment; or
(ii) where the foreign investment is in a "cultural business", a term that is broadly defined in the ICA. In these cases, the thresholds for review remain at $5 million and $50 million in book value for direct and indirect investments, respectively.
New Disclosure Requirements for Foreign Investors
Where the thresholds are not exceeded and an investment proposal is not subject to a net benefit review, the non-Canadian investor must nevertheless notify the Canadian government of the investment and file a notification in the prescribed form. Such notification must be given within thirty days of closing. Effective April 24, 2015, foreign investors will be required to provide significantly more information when completing the notification form, even where there is no net benefit review.
Among the new informational requirements, foreign investors will have to identify:
- the names of board members;
- the investor's five highest paid officers;
- any person or entity that owns 10% of the investor's equity or voting interests;
- whether the investor is owned, controlled or influenced, directly or indirectly, by a foreign government; and
- sources of funding for the investment.
Additionally, investors will have to furnish a copy of the purchase and sale agreement or if not available, a description of the principal terms and conditions, including the estimated total purchase price for the Canadian business. The government will use this information to determine whether the foreign investment should be reviewed under the national security provisions of the ICA.
Significantly more informational requirements have also been added to the application for review form, which applies when the foreign investment proposal is subject to the net benefit review assessment. This information will be used to determine whether the government will also initiate a national security review of the proposed foreign investment.
Establishment of New Canadian Businesses
It should be noted that where a foreign investor establishes a new Canadian business, there is a requirement to file a notification form with the Canadian government. The regulations will require significantly more disclosure of information about investors and their investments effective April 24, 2015. Such foreign investments are also subject to the national security provisions.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
