Foreign influence registry’s lack of legal carve-out undermines ‘sacred’ relationship, say lawyers

Unlike similar foreign influence registries in the U.K., U.S., and Australia, Canada's version would not exempt legal advice from triggering an obligation to report.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc testifies at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference on April 10. LeBlanc introduced a new Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act that would require those working for foreign powers to register, capturing a broad range of activities including legal advice.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY STUART BENSON

May 22, 2024

The proposed foreign influence registry is raising concerns amongst Canada’s legal community over its lack of exemptions for solicitors providing legal advice and representation to foreign clients—a deviation from similar western allies that lawyers say could lead to a �...

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