Respondents were more likely to oppose more foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canadian tech companies and research if it came from Asia (56 per cent versus 44 per cent against FDI in general). Survey participants were more opposed to foreign capital in artificial intelligence (AI) and telecommunications technology than digital media. EKOS surveyed 1,506 Canadians in February on behalf of the Asia Pacific Foundation (APF), a think tank focused on strengthening ties between Canada and Asia. (The Logic)

Talking point: Respondents were particularly concerned about Chinese involvement in the Canadian tech sector, with 59 per cent saying there is currently “too much” investment coming from the country, and just 15 per cent of participants supporting allowing Chinese FDI in AI. Those low scores are likely the result of one high-profile case: “[T]he ongoing Huawei crisis and the growing global anxiety about potential security risks posed by the Chinese tech firm may be influencing public perceptions of high-tech-oriented FDI from Asia more generally,” the APF said. Huawei employs hundreds of people in Canada, has partnerships with 13 universities here, and has promised to increase its R&D spending in the country by 15 per cent. None of those commitments seem to have improved the public perception of Chinese—or Asian—investors getting involved with Canadian tech.