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Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability

The Office of the Foreign Influence Commissioner of Canada enacted the Foreign Influence and Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) and its regulations on August 4, 2026. The act was introduced to:

  • Increase transparency and public trust regarding foreign influence activities and those involved;
  • Deter covert foreign influence efforts; and
  • Strengthen Canada’s national security.

Researchers engaged in an arrangement with a foreign principal with intention to influence Canadian political or governmental processes or representatives at all levels (municipal, provincial, federal) must now register the activity in a publicly accessible online registry.

Registration of the arrangement ensures that the University or the individual has met the transparency requirements of the Act. Registration does not imply any wrongdoing.

All 3 elements must be met for registration:

  1. An Arrangement with a Foreign Principal;
  2. The Arrangement involves Influence Activity; and
  3. The Arrangement Involves Political or Governmental Process.

What is an Arrangement?

An arrangement could include activities such as communicating with a public office holder, sharing or publishing information to the public, providing money, services, facilities, or other benefits in support of the arrangement.

The definition of public office holder is broad and includes federal (e.g., Prime Minister, CEO of a crown corporation, etc.), provincial (e.g., Premier, Member of Provincial Parliament, etc.) and municipal office holders (e.g., Mayor, elected school board trustee, etc.). 

Communication may include meetings or discussions (e.g., in person, virtual, telephone, etc.), written communications (e.g., emails, letters, text messages, etc.), presentations (including slide decks), participation in consultations, roundtables, or working groups where public office holders are present.

Activities intended to influence political or governmental processes in Canada may require registration, while activities intended to inform generally do not.
 

What is a Foreign Principal?

A “foreign principal” includes a foreign economic entity, a foreign entity, a foreign power or a foreign state, as defined in the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act. The definition includes foreign governments, foreign state-owned entities, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral organizations such as NATO or the United Nations, etc.

Registration will require information about:

  • The registrant;
  • The foreign principal;
  • The arrangement and proposed activities; and
  • The purpose and timeframe of the arrangement.

Registration of the arrangement must be completed by the person or party who enters the arrangement with the foreign principal. The registrant may be the university or an individual (faculty member, staff, or student), depending on the arrangement.

Arrangements must be registered within 14 days of entering the arrangement.

The Registration Requirements Related to the Academic Sector document provides relevant definitions and scenarios for registration.
 

What does this mean for Western University researchers?

Researchers are now required to register any arrangements with a foreign principle that has intention to influence Canadian political or governmental processes.  This includes research projects that meet these criteria.

It is advised that, should there be any doubt as to whether the arrangement meets the 3 elements for registration, the arrangement be registered anyway.  The Office of the Foreign Influence Commissioner of Canada will provide notification if registration is not ultimately required.

Compliance with this act will be enforced by the Office of the Foreign Influence Commissioner of Canada.
 

Resources

Contact Us

For more information on this Act and its relation to research-related activity, contact the Research Security team.