As noted in our March 2012 Blakes Bulletin, the federal government is proceeding with the necessary legislative amendments in order to lift the foreign ownership restrictions completely for all telecom carriers in Canada with less than a 10% share of the national telecommunications market.
On April 26, 2012, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of
Finance, introduced the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity
Act. The Act proposes to legislate key elements of the
federal government's 2012 budget entitled Economic Action Plan 2012, as well as other
previously announced measures.
Such measures include the proposed changes to the
Telecommunications Act relating to the above noted change
in policy regarding foreign ownership of certain telecommunications
carriers.
By including the proposed amendments to the Telecommunications Act as part of the government's 2012 budget bill, it is expected that these amendments will proceed expeditiously through Parliament and will likely be enacted into law before the fall of this year.
The early passage of these amendments is likely to be regarded favourably by foreign investors as well as qualifying carriers who may be seeking additional foreign investment prior to the commencement of the 700 MHz Auction, which is scheduled to occur in the first half of 2013.
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