The following release has been shared on behalf of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada (FLSC) is advising legal professionals that the federal Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) and its associated Regulations came into force on August 4, 2026.
The FITAA establishes a public registry requiring certain persons and organizations that enter into arrangements with foreign principals to register information with the Office of the Foreign Influence Commissioner of Canada. The regime applies to activities carried out under the direction of, or in association with, a foreign principal that relate to political or governmental processes in Canada.
The Office of the Foreign Influence Commissioner of Canada has issued an interpretation bulletin outlining how the foreign influence transparency regime applies to licensed legal professionals. The bulletin states that: “providing advice, which is subject to solicitor-client privilege, to a foreign principal is not considered an influence activity under FITAA.” Similarly, the bulletin states that representing a foreign principal during a judicial or private proceeding does not trigger a registration requirement.
The interpretation bulletin provides guidance on:
- Legal services: Legal representation in judicial and private proceedings and the provision of legal advice do not generally constitute influence activities requiring registration under the FITAA.
- Registerable activities: Legal professionals should assess whether activities undertaken on behalf of a foreign principal fall within FITAA’s definition of an influence activity, including certain communications with public office holders or activities related to political or governmental processes.
- Professional obligations: Legal professionals should continue to consider their professional obligations, including confidentiality and solicitor-client privilege, when determining how the regime may apply in specific circumstances.
The Federation is sharing this information to support legal professionals in understanding the application of the new regime while continuing to uphold their professional responsibilities.
The interpretation bulletin and additional information about the regime are available here.
For further information regarding the Act, please visit News – Federation of Law Societies of Canada.
For more information about this release, please contact:
Giulia Doyle
Senior Director of Communications
Federation of Law Societies of Canada
gdoyle@flsc.ca