After a review, the Canadian government has approved Amazon's plan to build a warehouse in Canada.
In return, the Globe and Mail reported, the e-tailer has promised to invest more than C$20 million (which, at current exchange rates, is about the same amount in U.S. currency), including $1.5 million for cultural events and awards and for promoting books by Canadians outside Canada; increase the visibility of Canadian and French-language products on its Canadian website; establish a staff to assist Canadian publishers and other suppliers of cultural products; make more Canadian content available on the Kindle; and create a summer internship program for Canadian university and college students.
Amazon's plan had to be reviewed in light of the Investment Canada Act, which protects Canadian culture from foreign ownership.
Canadian booksellers have protested consistently against the plan. Yesterday Canadian Booksellers Association executive director Susan Dayus told Reuters, "We do not think this will be a good thing for Canadians."
Founded in 2002, amazon.ca accounts for "up to" 10% of Canadian publishers' sales, "depending on type of book," according to the Wall Street Journal.