Tory minister acknowledges plenty of opposition to Nexen takeover

OTTAWA – Canada’s junior finance minister says he’s hearing a lot of negative feedback on the proposed takeover of Canadian oil producer Nexen by a state-owned Chinese firm.

Ted Menzies, who is from Alberta, says there’s been plenty of interest among constituents and fellow Conservative MPs over the $15.1-billion deal.

The minister of state for finance says while some are expressing enthusiasm, the majority are expressing concern about the deal.

On Monday, Conservative MP Rob Anders said he opposed to the takeover, calling China a “non-benevolent country.”

The application is currently being reviewed by Industry Canada under the murky “net benefit” criteria, but the government has also said it will seek assurances that Nexen would continue to be operated along market lines.

Industry Minister Christian Paradis said Monday that issues would be “scrutinized closely.”

Menzies says the deal will be judged on its merits, adding that it is to the credit of Canada that outside firms are eager to invest in the country.