ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the objectives and obstacles influencing present trends in policy and then considers the directions in which Canada seems to be moving in handling the foreign investment question. It is more useful, therefore, to think of national policy in terms of directions of emerging national consensus which are likely to guide government decisions within the range of political contexts that may be expected for the next few years. The substantive thrust of national policy may be expected to be toward the selective approach to optimizing benefits in the investment review process and interactions with subsidiaries. For many years nationalists have been advocating a central government unit with comprehensive responsibility over foreign investment. The strong nationalists tend to think of the takeover review process and further steps as directed rather singlemindedly to reducing the degree of foreign investment in Canada.
