http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/remember-that-other-potash-bid-net-benefit-remains-unresolved/article31689147/

"There is enormous evidence demonstrating the benefits associated with inward foreign investment, including investment, employment and access to advanced foreign technologies. Canada has significant needs for infrastructure investment and the development of natural resource assets taking advantage of new sustainable technology in places such as the oil sands or the Ring of Fire in Northern Ontario.

For example, there has been interest by Chinese investors in developing a $2-billion rail line that would create thousands of jobs in Northern Ontario and serve as a catalyst for further development of the region. This is exactly the kind of foreign investment that will benefit Canada."

There is significant evidence that when a sector is protected from foreign competition, it has a magnified effect over the entire economy. Since every firm in the country must interact with this sector, it is absolutely essential for the government policy to ensure that it operates to a global standard.

Canada has gone through many cycles in terms of how foreign investment is viewed. We seem to be back at a point where many fear it. Preventing a foreign takeover or a domestic merger to protect jobs in a province or city is the absolutely wrong approach. The right approach is to create an environment where the local environment is competitive, innovative and a location where head office and other functions would naturally wish to be located.

Only with that mindset can Canada’s prosperity continue to rise. The government would do well by Canadians if it signalled that Canada is open to foreign investment.