Media poll finds majority of Canadians opposing China's takeover of Canadian companies

Results of a Nanos Research poll, commissioned by The Globe and Mail, revealed more than three-quarters of Canadians opposed Ottawa’s decision to allow Chinese investors to buy two Canadian high tech firms with developed military-edge technology.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had hoped that Canada would relax its restrictions on high-tech exports to China, believing it would lead to promotion of bilateral trade, Globe and Mail News reports said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -- keen to deepen relations with China -- also believed relaxing restrictions on investment from China.

“Although people understand it is important to have good trade relations with China, they find it more difficult to understand why transactions that could directly impact our national security or have military purposes – how that connects,” pollster Nik Nanos said.

Concerned about the transfer of Canada’s advanced military laser technology to China, Canadian Security Intelligence Service also opposed Chinese’ takeover of Canadian firms dealing with military technology.

76 percent of Canadians, reported by Nanos poll, opposed the takeover of Norsat -- leading provider of innovative satellite communication solutions -- by China, while only 18 percent supported its purchase and 78 percent of Canadians opposed China’s purchase of Montreal-based ITF Technologies.

“For many Canadians, they actually believe those transactions put Canada at risk,” Globe and Mail quoted pollster Nik Nanos in an interview. “If the government continues to embark on this path, it will probably be a significant political risk for them.”

U.S. Defence Department was also concerned about Chinese investing in important technology such as artificial intelligence, robotics and augmented reality, New York Times reported earlier this year.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

Image of Justin Trudeau with Li Keqiang: Twitter