The federal government conducted seven full national security reviews in the 2018–2019 fiscal year, the most since it started releasing data in 2009. Of those, four involved investments from China. (The Globe and Mail)

Talking point: Last year’s reviews made up about a third of the 22 conducted since 2009, of which 14 involved investments from China. However, a review of an acquisition doesn’t necessarily mean the investment will be blocked. In 2017, for example, the Liberals greenlit Hong Kong-based tech firm O-Net’s acquisition of Canadian firm ITF Technologies following a review. Meanwhile, 32 Chinese investments did not undergo security reviews last year. Canada’s increased scrutiny of Chinese firms comes as tensions remain high between the two countries, with Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou under trial in Vancouver and Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor detained in China.