Ottawa approves Target entry into Canada© Rick Wilking / Reuters/Reuters
Ottawa has approved Target Corp.'s plan to enter the Canadian market and sell books and other cultural products such as DVDs, music and magazines.
The plan by the U.S. retailer to open stores in Canada was reviewed under the Investment Canada Act to ensure the store's shelves will have enough home-grown content.
In approving Target, Heritage Minister James Moore says Target plans more than 20,000 new jobs and it has committed to sell uniquely Canadian cultural products in its Canadian stores.
Target has also committed to support Canadian cultural events and organizations.
The U.S. retailer is poised to begin opening the first of between 125 and 135 stores in Canada at former Zellers locations acquired from Hudson's Bay Co.
The store openings are set to start next year.