Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Regime Comes into Force
Notice to the Legal Professions
from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada
On August 4, 2026, the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (“FITAA”) and its associated Regulations came into force. The FITAA establishes a public registry whereby any “person” who enters into an “arrangement” with a “foreign principal” must register and provide certain information to the Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner for inclusion in the registry.
Application of the regime to licensed legal professionals
While legal professionals, legal advice, and legal representation is not explicitly carved-out from the reporting requirements under the FITAA or Regulations, an interpretation bulletin provides guidance on the application of the foreign influence registry regime to licensed legal professionals. The interpretation bulletin states that “providing advice, which is subject to solicitor-client privilege, to a foreign principal is not considered an influence activity.”
The interpretation bulletin further outlines:
- What constitutes non-registerable and registerable activities;
- What constitutes influence activities, the provision of legal services, and political and governmental processes; and
- Obligations to register for licensed legal professionals.
For further details, see the interpretation bulletin.
Additional information
The federal government has launched a website of the newly created Office of the Foreign Influence Commissioner of Canada, with information on the interpretation and application of the regime.
If you have questions, contact the Law Society’s Practice & Ethics Advisor at practiceadvisor@lawsociety.mb.ca.
