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Canadian nationalists have for decades worried about foreign investment here, owing to an apparent loss of control over domestic businesses and the economy, or at least the sensation of it. And, where foreign acquisitions of Canadian firms are involved, Canadians worry about the loss of head offices and “hollowing out,” lost skills and opportunity when early-stage tech firms are snapped up, and so on.

Historically, though, we have been dependent on foreign investment, and a lot of it, to bring the capital that leads to building firms, infrastructure, growth, and jobs. When foreign buyers come shopping, they are sensing opportunity, and placing a bet on Canada, which is good for us.

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But things are changing. What we are now seeing is something like a buyers’ strike on the part of foreign direct investors. Less foreign capital means less investment in new projects, fewer jobs, and lower incomes. How long might the strike last?