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CALGARY — Canada’s official opposition has conducted its own “net benefit” test of China’s $15.1-billion attempt to buy a Canadian oil sands producer and issued the deal a failing grade.

The federal New Democratic Party Thursday urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to prevent Calgary-based Nexen Inc. from being sold to CNOOC Ltd., a state-controlled enterprise backed by China’s Communist government. While unsurprising given the party’s recent statements on the proposed deal, the move, experts say, was designed to provide the NDP with political capital.

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Almost every foreign investment would fail the NDP test, any trade deal would fail the NDP test

“If the deal is denied then the NDP can try to take credit for denying the deal. If the deal goes forward then they can campaign on the fact that Stephen Harper doesn’t listen to Canadians,” said Duane Bratt, professor and chair of the policy studies department at Calgary’s Mount Royal University.

“Almost every foreign investment would fail the NDP test, any trade deal would fail the NDP test. They are a protectionist party so remember the government is not bound by the will of the opposition party here.”