Canada: Issued Additional Direction to Review Foreign Investments in the Interactive Digital Media Sector under the Investment Canada Act (ICA)

On 1 March 2024, the Government of Canada issued an Additional Direction to Review Foreign Investment in the Interactive Digital Media Sector under the Investment Canada Act (ICA). The Direction aims to reduce the risk of information manipulation by state-sponsored or influenced actors by subjecting investments by entities owned or influenced by foreign states in the interactive digital media sector, particularly those that may pose a risk to Canada's national security, to a more rigorous national security review review. Foreign investment in cultural enterprises in Canada's interactive digital media sector that own or create their intellectual property will be assessed for "net benefit" under Part IV of the Investment Canada Act. The Government advises investors and Canadian companies in the sector to review their plans for possible links to such entities and to consult with the Investment Review Division in advance.