Once the NRC has obtained a license for certain technologies, it must always contend with a so-called Canada clause governing technology use in Canada. Obviously, technology is a global phenomenon and it cannot easily be contained at the border. In order to move forward, companies must invest elsewhere. They must obtain from other countries technology that is compatible with Canadian technology. Therefore, it is rather difficult for us to say to companies that they cannot develop technology anywhere else but in Canada. The reality is that in order to develop a final product, companies must often combine several different technologies.
On May 6th, 2008. See this statement in context.