The Canadian opposition party has called for a block on foreign acquisitions of large local firms as mining companies Alcan and LionOre and telecoms firm BCE all face overseas bids.

Stéphane Dion, Liberal leader, said in a statement: "Canada must take account of the rules followed by our competitors. The Investment Canada Act has not been reviewed for 20 years, and recent developments suggest that in some areas the act may be tilted against both Canadian companies and the national interest to create global champions."