On January 3, 2026, the Government of Canada published the proposed Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I. This triggers a 30-day public consultation period, ending on February 2, 2026.
These regulations provide the necessary technical and administrative details to implement the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA), which creates a mandatory registry for individuals or entities acting on behalf of foreign powers.
Core Objectives
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Transparency: To move foreign influence activities out of the shadows and into a public-facing registry.
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National Security: To help security agencies distinguish between legitimate diplomatic/trade influence and covert, "malign" interference.
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Public Trust: To reassure Canadians that efforts to influence their democratic and governmental processes are being monitored.
Exemptions and Protections
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Safety Clause: The Commissioner can withhold information from the public registry if there are reasonable grounds to believe its disclosure would pose a threat to an individual's personal safety.
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Data Retention: Information in the registry must be retained for 20 years after an arrangement ends.
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Compliance Agreements: The regulations allow the Commissioner to enter into agreements with non-compliant parties to correct issues, potentially reducing or waiving fines.
Impact and Costs
The government estimates the system will cost approximately $25.9 million over ten years to maintain. About 1,000 small businesses are expected to be affected, primarily those involved in government relations or advocacy for foreign clients.
How to Participate
You have until February 2, 2026, to submit your feedback. The government is specifically looking for input on:
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The definition of "Public Office Holder."
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What specific information should be visible to the public.
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The fairness and structure of the enforcement and penalty system.
https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2026/2026-01-03/html/reg1-eng.html
