Evidence of meeting #74 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was investors.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:35 p.m.
Partner, Competition, Antitrust and Foreign Investment, McMillan LLP
They're from China, from Korea, from Norway—many countries.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Okay.
Have you represented foreign technology or biopharmaceutical companies acquiring Canadian companies that did not trigger an Investment Canada Act review?
Go ahead, Mr. Bhattacharjee.
4:40 p.m.
Partner and National Chair, Competition and Foreign Investment Review Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, As an Individual
I'm sorry. Could you repeat the question, please?
4:40 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Have you represented foreign technology or biopharmaceutical companies acquiring Canadian companies that did not trigger an Investment Canada Act review?
4:40 p.m.
Partner and National Chair, Competition and Foreign Investment Review Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, As an Individual
I've advised foreign technology companies on transactions that were not subject to the Investment Canada Act and some that were.
4:40 p.m.
Partner and National Chair, Competition and Foreign Investment Review Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, As an Individual
I cannot say right now. I don't know.
4:40 p.m.
Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, As an Individual
I have the same response as Mr. Bhattacharjee.
4:40 p.m.
Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, As an Individual
Yes. Basically, I don't keep count.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
4:40 p.m.
Partner, Competition, Antitrust and Foreign Investment, McMillan LLP
I've worked on dozens of transactions, Mr. Green. I can't remember them all offhand.
4:40 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Okay.
We're trying to get a sense of this. You've all stated that you're here as individuals, but obviously you're representing clients. Obviously there are client interests in the framework of the act, for which we're trying to find adequate amendments. I'm just trying to get a sense, as I embark on this, of who you are speaking for in terms of your experience.
Did any of the companies that were acquired receive government funding for research and development or license Canadian universities' intellectual property?
Go ahead, Mr. Bhattacharjee.
4:40 p.m.
Partner and National Chair, Competition and Foreign Investment Review Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, As an Individual
The first thing I'll say is I'm not here on behalf of any client interests, Mr. Green—
4:40 p.m.
Partner and National Chair, Competition and Foreign Investment Review Group, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, As an Individual
The answer to your second question is that I don't know.