CEO Transition Binder
Organizational Overview
a. Invest in Canada Act
Invest in Canada a federal agency with the mandate to promote and attract foreign investment in Canada. It was created in 2018 with the coming into force of the Invest in Canada Act. Under the responsibility of the Minister of International Trade and with the oversight of its Board of Directors, it operates with a national headquarters in Ottawa and regional offices across the country. The day-to-day operations of the organization are managed by the Chief Executive Officer.
The Invest in Canada Hub’s mandate, “for the purpose of supporting economic prosperity and stimulating innovation in Canada, is to
- promote foreign direct investment in Canada and attract and facilitate that investment; and
- coordinate the efforts of the government, the private sector and other stakeholders with respect to foreign direct investment in Canada.”
Invest in Canada is a departmental corporation and has the same obligations and requirements as a typical government department. However, the Invest in Canada Act provides specific exemptions which include authority over:
- policies with respect to contracts, communications, travel, hospitality, conferences and events and any of its other general administrative policies.
- human resources management, including the determination of the terms and conditions of employment of persons whom it employs.
- internal auditing.
b. Board Composition and Role
According to the Invest in Canada Act, Invest in Canada’s Board of Directors consist of no more than 11 members (including 1 Chairperson and 1 Vice Chairperson). This also includes the deputy minister of international trade as an ex-officio member. The legislation states that “the board of directors is responsible for supervising and managing the Invest in Canada Hub’s business and affairs and for advising the Minister and the Chief Executive Officer on matters relating to the Invest in Canada Hub’s mandate.”
The Board is currently composed of 5 members.
Board member biographies
Karl Tabbakh, Incoming Chairperson
Term ends: 22-Sept-25
Karl brings international business and legal experience to his role as Chair, and a deep network in the Middle East and beyond.
Karl is the Regional Managing Partner for Québec, Co-Leader of the Firm’s International & Business Strategy and a member of McCarthy Tétrault’s Senior Leadership Team. A professional with deep business acumen, extensive global experience, and exceptional relationship-building skills, Karl is committed to delivering business solutions and results for clients.
Focussed on providing clients with an understanding of both legal and business implications during major decisions, Karl is often brought in at the outset of transactions by the senior management of both strategic acquirers and financial sponsors to assist in the initial structuring and strategy around transactions and capital deployment.
In addition to his legal expertise, Karl brings investor and business experience. In 2012, he co-founded a venture capital and private equity firm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Prior to that, Karl was a partner within the world’s largest law firm which he joined in 2008 to start up their Abu Dhabi office and head its corporate practice.
Karl spent seven years in the Middle East and was Chairman of the Canadian Business Council in Abu Dhabi where he developed strong understanding of the Middle East markets and solid connections in the UAE business community. Previous to that, he was a partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s Business Law Group, where he had started his career in 1995. He worked in the Montréal, Toronto and London, UK offices until 2008 and, upon his return to Canada in 2016, he rejoined the firm.
Karl is a regular speaker and commentator in the financial press. He is Chair of the Board of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of the Canada Arab Business Council.
Karl is active in the philanthropic world and supports many non-profit and community service organisations, including as member of the Centraide/United Way campaign, director of the National Circus School and Foundation and co-president of the Filleactive Father/Daughter Charity Ball.
Born in Syria, Karl immigrated with his parents to Canada at age 10 where he learned to speak English and French, in addition to his Arabic mother tongue. He received his LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, in 1997 after completing his BCL at the Université de Montréal in 1996. He also obtained a B.Comm. from Université Laval in Québec City.
Peggy Van de Plassche
Vice Chair of the Board
Term ends: 25-Jun-23
Peggy Van De Plassche is an experienced technology, operations, strategy and finance executive with expertise in new venture development, business management and restructuring, investment management, strategic planning and financial analysis.
A finance professional by trade, Peggy started working in technology 15 years ago, before fintech was a word. She is a founding partner at Roar VC, which invests in Canadian Data AI startups catering to the financial services industry. Prior to launching Roar VC, she was senior advisor at Portag3 Ventures as well as VP Innovation at CIBC. Peggy has also worked at CGI and BMO, founded 113 Ventures, invested in tech companies, and consulted for large organizations and startups.
She has been involved in the community as head of committee and volunteer for several non-profits, is a board member for Zoom.ai, FrontFundr, Hackergal, the Digital Finance Institute Advisory Board, the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada Advisory Board, and acts as an advisor for the AI Fintech Holt Accelerator and Portag3 Ventures.
Peggy holds a M.Sc. and a B.B.A. from the IÉSEG School of Management and is a CFA Institute member.
George Addy
Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board
Term ends: 25-Jun-24
George N. Addy, a senior partner with Davies Ward Phillips Vineberg LLP, brings almost 40 years of foreign investment, regulatory and competition law expertise and strategic insight to business-critical client matters, both in Canada and internationally.
Because of his unrivalled knowledge and expertise, clients turn to Mr. Addy as lead counsel for their most transformative and complex structural initiatives and issues surrounding business conduct. He advises on foreign investment matters involving the Investment Canada Act and related sectoral control legislation and anti-corruption matters, as well as the full range of civil and criminal practices governed by the Competition Act. He regularly consults on issues related to internal investigations, compliance programs and search warrants, including dawn raids.
Prior to joining Davies, Mr. Addy was head of the Canadian Competition Bureau and a senior executive in the telecom sector. He is a board member at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and has lectured at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law.
Mr. Addy earned the Institute of Corporate Directors ICD.D designation in 2006 and has his LLB and BA from the University of Ottawa.
Michele McKenzie
Chair of the HR & Governance Committee of the Board
Term ends: 26-Jun-23
Michele McKenzie is principal of McKenzie Strategies, a management consulting firm focused on business development and strategy, based in Nova Scotia. She has worked for a range of clients including Chemonics International, the Trans Canada Trail, Tourism Nova Scotia, Cabot Links, and the Halifax Partnership. She is a director of the Trans Canada Trail, the Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. and the Property Valuation Services Corporation. In 2017, she completed a one-year Fellowship at Harvard University, investigating tourism development in emerging economies.
Previously, Ms. McKenzie was a senior consultant with the USAID funded Building Economic Sustainability Through Tourism Project based in Amman, Jordan and was the president and CEO of the federal Crown Corporation Canadian Tourism Commission (now Destination Canada). Additionally, she is a former Deputy Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, and spent her early career as an entrepreneur.
Ms. McKenzie has been recognized as one of Canada's Most Powerful Women - Top 100 by WXN and was named by Hotelier Magazine as one of the 10 Most Influential Leaders in Canada's Hospitality Industry in the Past 25 Years.
Ms. McKenzie is a graduate of Dalhousie University and holds an honorary degree from Humber College.
David Morrison, ex officio
*ex officio (DM International Trade)
On January 5, 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed David Morrison deputy minister of international trade and personal representative of the prime minister for the G7 Summit.
Prior to this, Mr. Morrison was the foreign and defence policy adviser to the prime minister and personal representative of the prime minister for the G7 Summit.
At Global Affairs Canada, Mr. Morrison previously held the positions of associate deputy minister of foreign affairs from 2017 to 2018, and assistant deputy minister for the Americas Branch from 2013 to 2017. In 2012 and 2013, he was senior vice-president at the Canadian International Development Agency.
Mr. Morrison was also the executive secretary of the United Nations Capital Development Fund from 2008 to 2012 and deputy assistant administrator, spokesperson and director of communications at the United Nations Development Programme from 2004 to 2008. He was also founding president of NetAid, a partnership between the UN and Cisco Systems that used the Internet to fight global poverty, from 2000 to 2004.
Mr. Morrison began his career with the UN Development Programme in North Korea in the late 1980s. He served as a political officer at the Canadian embassy in Havana from 1991 to 1994, and as a director and member of the Executive Board of the World Economic Forum in Geneva, where he was responsible for the program of the annual summit in Davos, from 1995 to 1999.
Mr. Morrison holds a master’s degree of Philosophy in International Relations, from the University of Oxford, and a bachelor’s degree in History from Yale University.
c. Corporate Structure
Internal governance
Invest in Canada’s operations are organized along four business units: Investor Services, Information Services, Marketing, and Corporate Services. With oversight from the CEO Office, each business unit has a dedicated Chief and an appropriate number of employees to support the unit’s mandate and functions.
The CEO Office is focused on developing and maintaining partner relations with any Canadian stakeholder with an interest in FDI, seeking feedback from and addressing the needs and impacts of stakeholders across IIC’s business units.
The Investor Services unit is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with current and potential investors to promote foreign direct investment in Canada and developing relationships with FDI partners. Market advisors covering the United States, Europe (the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Benelux, Nordics, Italy and Switzerland), Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India and the United Arab Emirates are responsible for coordinating and providing customized service to global investors from these key markets to accelerate large-scale, transformational investments. Regional Directors, representing British Columbia and the Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, offer support on the ground to facilitate reinvestment and net new projects across provinces, territories and municipalities and work more closely with regional economic development organization partners on investment focused priorities.
The Information Services unit provides key insights, research, data and analytics to support intelligence-driven decisions across the organization, including implementing the quadrant methodology and producing sector profiles, among other knowledge products. The unit also supports the implementation of innovative technology for the organization and for partners.
The Marketing unit focuses on promoting Canada as a premier investment destination through advertising campaigns, content partnership series, digital outreach and signature events. It works with Investor Services and Information Services to deliver focused marketing, communications and promotional material to investors and partners.
The Corporate Services unit ensures the robust stewardship of resources and supports a strong internal governance and control framework.
d. Fiscal Framework
Funding profile
Fall 2016 Economic Statement and Announcement
$218 million over 5 years: $157 million for new agency (Invest in Canada Hub) and $61 million for enhancing the Trade Commissioner Service
2018 Budget Adjustment
$12 million reduction of Invest in Canada’s funding profile. Revised funding profile of $145 million ($157 million minus $12 million)
|
Year 1 2017-18 |
Year 2 2018-19 |
Year 3 2019-20 |
Year 4 2020-21 |
Year 5 2021-22 |
TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$13.74M |
$23.18M |
$36.01M |
$35.44M |
$35.42M |
$143.79M Footnote * |
Footnotes for table: Initial 5 Year Profile
- *
-
$1.2M variance due to rent premium/IT expenditures that is accounted for centrally by the Government
In 2019-2020, Invest in Canada received authority for funding for years 4 (2020-21) and 5 (2021-22) and ongoing.
|
Fiscal year |
2017-18 |
2018-19 |
2019-20 |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Main Estimates (000s) Footnote * |
$12,104 |
$23,184 |
$36,057 |
$34,292 |
$34,272 |
$33,612 |
$34,002 |
|
Actual expenditures (000s) Footnote *** |
$2,032 |
$10,719 |
$26,096 |
$29,622 |
$34,487 |
Projecting $34,221 |
N/A |
Footnotes for table: Main Estimates and actual expenditures
- *
-
Does not include rent premium and central costs or operating carry-forward $ amounts
- **
-
Expenditures on a cash basis, not accrual
e. Reporting to Parliament through the Minister of International Trade
The role of the Minister is set out in Section 11 of the Invest in Canada Act. The Minister responsible for Invest in Canada is the Minister of International Trade as designated by the Governor in Council (PC 2018-0049). As such, Invest in Canada reports to Parliament through the Minister of International Trade. Reporting activities include tabling departmental plans, departmental results reports and annual reports for the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act in both Houses of Parliament. The Minister may be invited to appear at Parliamentary Committees along with departmental officials such as when main and supplementary estimates votes are referred to standing committees.
Priorities, Planning and Reporting
a. Departmental Results Framework
The Departmental Results Framework (DRF) is structure against which financial and non-financial performance information is provided for Estimates and parliamentary reporting. The DRF provides a strategic view of Invest in Canada’s Core Responsibility and key performance information. It represents the framework used to demonstrate plans, achievements, expenditures and performance results as outlined in the departmental plans and departmental results reports.
Invest in Canada’s core responsibility is to lead the Government of Canada's foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction efforts by making Canada top-of-mind for foreign investors and providing services in support of investor decisions to expand in Canada.
| Result | Indicator | Data collection frequency and source | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada is promoted as a foreign direct investment destination | Number of target audience individuals exposed to IIC’s promotional activities. (content and events combined) |
Frequency: annually Source: IIC web analytics and events reporting |
Rationale (i.e. how the indicator relates to the result): This indicator measures the size of the target audience that Invest in Canada directly reaches with its promotional activities.
Calculation / formula: number of audience reached Baseline: to be set based on the 2020-21 metrics in December 2021 Target: to be set based on the 2020-21 metrics in December 2021 Definition(s): Estimated audience for IIC content– Estimated number of target audience individuals exposed to IIC content (print, online publications, out of home activations) and events: session views (e.g. # of people at our speaking engagements, virtual panel views, etc.), visits to in-person booth, visits to in-person sessions outside of booth, email list distribution size, estimated reach of event organizer’s social media activations that feature IIC brand. Does NOT include event audience size or attendee volume. Notes: data to be gathered in Invest in Canada’s key target markets. |
| Number of unique reach of promotional campaigns |
Frequency: annually Source: IIC web analytics |
Rationale (i.e. how the indicator relates to the result): This indicator measures the effectiveness of the advertising campaigns in reaching their target audience.
Calculation / formula: number of audience reached Baseline: not available (new indicator) Target: baseline and target to be set by March/April 2022. Definition(s): Measures the total number of people who were shown a paid ad. These metrics go beyond basic cookie measurement to help to understand how many people saw the ad across different devices, formats, sites, apps, and networks. Does not include organic content. Notes: data to be gathered in Invest in Canada’s key target markets. |
|
| Net Promoter Score |
Frequency: annually Source: Brand tracker |
Rationale (i.e. how the indicator relates to the result): This indicator shows the loyalty and satisfaction of IIC’s clients with Canada as an investment destination.
Calculation / formula: Invest in Canada will contract a third party to conduct a survey with potential investors/decision makers in key markets. A baseline will be determined by March 2022. Baseline: not available (new indicator) Target: baseline and target to be set in March 2022. Definition(s): Net Promoter Score (NPS) is taken from asking clients how likely they are to recommend your product or service to others on a scale of 0-10. NPS = % Promoters (9-10) - % Detractors (0-6) Notes: The survey will be undertaken in Invest in Canada’s key markets. |
|
| Investors are investing or expanding in Canada through the support of IIC services | Number of new investments or expansions supported by IIC |
Frequency: annually Source: CRM (SalesForce) |
Rationale (i.e. how the indicator relates to the result): Greenfield (new) and expansion of existing foreign direct investment creates jobs through the creation of new businesses or expansion of existing ones.
Expansion means growth in an existing enterprise in Canada such as but not limited to increasing the physical size of the operation, increased hiring, increased production means, expansion of an existing business line, etc. Foreign investment means establishment of a business in Canada. A foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment in the form of a controlling ownership in a business in one country by an entity based in another country.
|
| Number of investors receiving IIC services |
Frequency: annually Source: CRM (SalesForce) |
Rationale (i.e. how the indicator relates to the result): Greenfield (new) and expansion of existing foreign direct investment creates jobs through the creation of new businesses or expansion of existing ones. Services provided to investors through IIC is key to advancing these projects.
Calculation / formula: number of investors receiving services from IIC. Baseline: not available (new/amended indicator). Target: baseline and target to be set in March/April 2022. Definition(s): Notes: |
|
| Partners have access to services and tools to support their investment attraction efforts | Number of products (Sector Fact Sheet, Reports, Data sets, etc) developed and shared with partners |
Frequency: annually Source: InfoZone |
Rationale (i.e. how the indicator relates to the result): the number of products reflects the value add that IIC provides to partners.
Calculation / formula: Count of number of products Baseline: to be set based on the 2020-21 metrics in December 2021 Target: to be set based on the 2020-21 metrics in December 2021 Definition(s): Nil Notes: |
| Number of Federal, Provincial and City partners accessing data and information on the IIC InfoZone partner portal to support investment promotion activities. |
Frequency: annually Source: InfoZone |
Rationale (i.e. how the indicator relates to the result): This indicator measures how often enhanced data is used by partners, demonstrating the increased value of enriched data to potential foreign investors.
Calculation / formula: number of user engagements. Baseline: not available (new/amended indicator). Target: baseline and target to be set in December 2021. Definition(s): Nil Notes: IIC InfoZone provides IIC partners with a “one-stop” central interface, enhancing partner navigation to a suite of FDI products. InfoZone now supports 600+ users, across 37 federal, provincial, territorial and municipal partner organizations, and 21 of these are actively contributing their own content to the platform. |
b. 2022-23 Departmental Plan and Business Plan/Budget
Departmental Expenditure Plans consist of two documents: Departmental Plans (DP) and Departmental Results Reports (DRR). The DP is required from each appropriated department and agency (excluding Crown corporations). They describe departmental priorities, strategic outcomes, programs, expected results and associated resource requirements, covering a three-year period beginning with the year indicated in the title of the report. The Departmental Plan is completed annually and is tabled in Parliament by the President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the Minister. The 2022-23 Departmental Plan has been tabled in Parliament and is available on Invest in Canada’s website.
The Invest in Canada business plan is an internal document that details forecasted spending and major activities for the fiscal year. Business unit objectives are linked to the expected results identified in the DP and includes priorities, timelines and the required financial and human resources to meet those priorities.
As outlined in S16(3) of the Invest in Canada Act, the Chief Executive Officer must submit to the board of directors, for its approval, an annual business plan.
c. Minister Mandate Letter
Mandate letters outline the objectives that each minister will work to accomplish, as well as the pressing challenges they will address in their role.
Priorities in the Minister’s mandate letter are addressed in Invest in Canada’s departmental plans.
d. Reporting
As outlined in S16(3) of the Invest in Canada Act, the Chief Executive Officer must submit to the board of directors, for its approval, an annual report on Invest in Canada’s operations and performance during the preceding fiscal year.
The Departmental Results Report (DRR), along with Departmental Plans, make up the Departmental Expenditure Plans. The DRR is prepared after the fiscal year is completed and provides information about the resources used during the year and a comparison of results achieved with the projections outlined in the corresponding departmental plans. The DRR is completed annually and is tabled in Parliament by the President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the Minister. The 2021-22 Departmental Results Report is in development and when approved, will be tabled in Parliament and made available on Invest in Canada’s website.
In addition the DRR, Invest in Canada produces an annual report on FDI which highlights successes and Canada’s FDI performance of the previous year, including investments, and spotlights on sectors and industries.
As a condition of Invest in Canada’s ongoing operating funding, Invest in Canada produces a detailed semi-annual report for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
e. Engagement with Departments and Central Agencies
Invest in Canada works closely with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) to review and update its Departmental Results Framework (DRF) as needed. Invest in Canada consults Global Affairs Canada and TBS when preparing its Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports to ensure understanding and alignment of results reporting.
Federal Partners
a. Overview of Key Federal Departments
| Federal entities directly involved in FDI attraction | |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) |
AAFC is mandated to manage/contribute to a variety of activities and initiatives across the agriculture and agri-food sectors (e.g., crop and supply chain, livestock, environment and food), which includes policies, programs, market and industry services, and international affairs (trade, export and market development).
|
| Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) |
ISED’s role is to foster a growing, competitive, knowledge-based Canadian economy.
|
| Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) |
NRCan develops policies, programs, and scientific research and development, enhancing the contribution of the natural resources sector to the Canadian economy.
|
| Trade Commissioner Services (TCS) (Global Affairs Canada) |
TCS, which is part of Global Affairs Canada, is a network of more than 1,000 trade professionals working in Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates located in over 160 cities around the world. It also has offices across Canada. The TCS’s global FDI network consists of more than 40 officers dedicated to attracting FDI. They are supported or complemented by senior trade commissioners, commercial counsellors, heads of mission, hundreds of sector specialist trade commissioners who support the FDI function, and dozens of investment and trade sector specialists at headquarters in Ottawa.
|
| Federal entities providing supporting activities or regulating FDI | |
| Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) |
BDC is a Crown corporation and Canada’s only bank dedicated solely to entrepreneurs.
|
| Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) |
ESDC promotes a highly skilled labour force while ensuring efficiency and inclusivity.
|
| Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) |
ECCC is responsible for preserving and enhancing the natural environment and renewable resources in Canada.
|
| Export Development Canada (EDC) |
EDC is a Crown corporation and Canada’s export credit agency. EDC supports and develops trade and investment between Canada and other countries and is wholly owned by the Government of Canada.
|
| Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) |
ISC works with partners to improve accessibility of services and address the socio-economic conditions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
|
| Infrastructure Canada (INFC) |
INFC works with all orders of government and other partners to enable investments in social, green, public transit and other core public infrastructure, as well as trade and transportation infrastructure.
|
| Public Safety Canada (PS) |
PS advises Innovation, Science and Economic Development on investments that could or would be injurious to national security.
|
| Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
IRCC sets Canada’s overall Immigration Levels Plan and continuously improves economic immigration programs to attract skilled talent to Canada (including targeted/regional pilots). It facilitates the arrival of immigrants, provides protection to refugees and funds programming to help newcomers settle in Canada.
|
| Transport Canada (TC) |
TC is the federal department responsible for transportation policies and programs in Canada.
|
| Central agencies | |
| Department of Finance (FIN) |
The Department of Finance is responsible for the overall stewardship of the Canadian economy.
|
| Privy Council Office (PCO) |
Led by the Clerk of the Privy Council, the PCO supports the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Cabinet in implementing government policy.
|
b. Minister and Deputy Minister Engagement
The Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade is responsible for a portfolio of organizations that support the Government’s international trade and business agenda, including Export Development Canada, the Canadian Commercial Corporation, and the Business Development Bank of Canada.
The Deputy Minister of International Trade serves as an ex-officio member of Invest in Canada’s Board of Directors. As such, the Deputy Minister participates in the meetings of the Board of Directors and is a voting member.
The CEO of Invest in Canada meets regularly with the Deputy Minister on areas of strategic alignment between Invest in Canada and the Department.
c. Role of GAC-BID and the Trade Commissioner Service
Within Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Invest in Canada works closely with the Investment, Innovation and Education Bureau (BID) which contains the Investment Promotion Division (BIP) and the Investor Services Division (BIS). Officials from IIC and these groups within GAC work closely on investment and project coordination, including the implementation of the Foreign Direct Investment Attraction Strategy, as well as official reporting and appointment-related matters for IIC.
The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) works across all market sectors and acts as the facilitator for FDI in Canada. As officers are located in market, they are often the primary point of contact for foreign companies looking to invest in Canada. The Government’s Fall 2016 Economic Statement and Announcement included funding to enhance the TCS. There are more than 40 TCS officers within its network who are dedicated to attracting foreign direct investment into Canada. Invest in Canada works closely with the TCS to support the development of FDI through regular touchpoints, lead referrals and event participation in markets.
d. FDIAS – Background
The Foreign Direct Investment Attraction Strategy (FDIAS) was developed in collaboration by 16 institutions of the Government of Canada under the direction of the Privy Council Office and central agencies. The FDIAS is designed to better coordinate the roles and responsibilities of federal government departments in the pursuit of FDI.
The FDIAS seeks to build on Canada’s strong FDI performance to date by identifying key actions that make federal partners in the FDI ecosystem even more effective at attracting foreign investors to Canada. Priority subsectors hare identified in the FDIAS and are prioritized based on Canada’s revealed comparative advantage, contribution to GDP and exports, alignment with federal government priorities and contribution to innovation in Canada.
e. Assistant Deputy Minister Committee
The Assistant Deputy Minister Committee is a strategic level group that establishes overall vision, and provides oversight, advice and governance support for the Foreign Direct Investment Attraction Strategy implementation. The Committee leads:
- the annual review and strategic alignment activities of the FDIAS governance framework
- annual planning of key FDI priorities
- resolution of conflicting messaging on sectors
- approval of Government of Canada priorities for coming year
- guidance on Government of Canada strategies related to sectors and outreach
- discussion and resolution around strategic issues related to roles and responsibilities among federal partners
The Committee is chaired by Invest in Canada’s CEO and meets two times per year.
Committee member organizations include: Invest in Canada, Global Affairs Canada (TCS), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Public Safety, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the Privy Council Office (PCO).
Regional Stakeholders
Invest in Canada encourages and leads collaboration across Canada's FDI partner network across all orders of government.
Invest in Canada coordinates and collaborates with provincial, territorial and municipal stakeholders to strengthen investor and project engagements and enhance insight into value-added FDI tools and programming.
With a mandate to promote, facilitate and coordinate foreign direct investment in Canada, Invest in Canada launched Connexion, a platform for stakeholders across select federal, provincial and municipal organizations to increase transparency and collaboration on investment files and marketing campaigns.
Key Legislation and Policies
- Financial Administration Act (last amended June 2023)
The Financial Administration Act (FAA) is the cornerstone of the legal framework for financial management within the Government of Canada. For the purposes of FAA, IIC is included in the definition of the “departments” of the federal government and is named in Schedule II and Schedule V of the FAA and is generally subject to the same financial controls as line departments. - Access to Information Act (June 2022)
The purpose of this Act is to extend the present laws of Canada to provide a right of access to information in records under the control of a government institution in accordance with the principles that government information should be available to the public, that necessary exceptions to the right of access should be limited and specific and that decisions on the disclosure of government information should be reviewed independently of government. - Investment Canada Act (April 2021)
This Act is the federal Government’s primary mechanism for reviewing foreign investment in Canada. Applied to a broad range of investments across all sectors, it has two primary purposes: to review significant acquisitions of control to ensure they are likely to be of net economic benefit to Canada, and to review investments that could be injurious to national security. The implementation of this Act is administered by the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. - Conflict of Interest Act (October 2017)
The purpose of this Act is to (a) establish clear conflict of interest and post-employment rules for public office holders; (b) minimize the possibility of conflicts arising between the private interests and public duties of public office holders and provide for the resolution of those conflicts in the public interest should they arise; (c) provide the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner with the mandate to determine the measures necessary to avoid conflicts of interest and to determine whether a contravention of this Act has occurred; (d) encourage experienced and competent persons to seek and accept public office; and (e) facilitate interchange between the private and public sector. - Federal Accountability Act (December 2011)
An Act providing for conflict of interest rules, restrictions on election financing and measures respecting administrative transparency, oversight and accountability. - Lobbying Act (July 2008)
The purpose of this Act is to recognize that free and open access to government is an important matter of public interest; and that lobbying public office holders is a legitimate activity; and that it is desirable that public office holders and the public be able to know who is engaged in lobbying activities; and that a system for the registration of paid lobbyists should not impede free and open access to government. - Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (July 2019)
An Act to establish a procedure for the disclosure of wrongdoings in the public sector, including the protection of persons who disclose the wrongdoings. - Official Languages Act (September 2017)
The purpose of this Act is to: (a) ensure respect for English and French as the official languages of Canada and ensure equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all federal institutions, in particular with respect to their use in parliamentary proceedings, in legislative and other instruments, in the administration of justice, in communicating with or providing services to the public and in carrying out the work of federal institutions; (b) support the development of English and French linguistic minority communities and generally advance the equality of status and use of the English and French languages within Canadian society; and (c) set out the powers, duties and functions of federal institutions with respect to the official languages of Canada. - Privacy Act (June 2022)
The purpose of this Act is to extend the present laws of Canada that protect the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves held by a government institution and that provide individuals with a right of access to that information.