Canada's new Foreign Influence Transparency Registry is now in force, introducing new disclosure requirements for individuals and organizations undertaking certain activities on behalf of, or in association with, foreign entities. While the registry is intended to strengthen transparency and address foreign interference, questions remain about how broadly the new rules will apply in practice.
Speaking recently with the Toronto Star, Gowling WLG partner Reem Zaia, who focuses her practice on advocacy and regulatory law discussed the practical implications of the new regime, noting that some organizations may choose to register even where the rules are not entirely clear. She observed that non-profits and think tanks, in particular, could find themselves navigating regulatory "grey zones" as they assess their obligations under the new framework.
"I expect some registrations out of an 'abundance of caution,' especially from non-profits and think tanks that could find themselves in a 'grey zone' according to the regulations."
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