The United States continues to pursue these issues bilaterally. Provincial legislation and Liquor Board policies regulate Canadian importation and retail distribution of alcoholic beverages. Canadian customs regulations limit the temporary entry of specialized equipment needed to perform short-term service contracts. Dumping margins in successful cases constitute a significant barrier to U.S. exports. The Canadian Parliament is currently reviewing the SIMA and this process may result in modifications to the Act.
Various restrictions limit U.S. access to the Canadian market for publications.
Under the Investment Canada Act, the Broadcast Act, the Telecommunications Act, and policies affecting energy, publishing, telecommunications, transportation, broadcasting and cable television firms, Canada maintains laws and policies with respect to foreign ownership which interfere with new or expanded foreign investment. In addition, foreign investment in the banking and financial services sectors is restricted under the Bank Act and related statutes. All foreign acquisitions in these sectors are potentially subject to review. In most cases, Canada prohibits the majority acquisition of Canadian book publishing and distributing companies, and requires that foreign-owned subsidiaries in Canada be divested to Canadians within two years if the ownership of the parent changes hands. The Investment Canada Act also has specific policies restricting foreign investment in the film distribution sector.