Sorry for the lameness of this reference, but I think it covers the essential. If Amazon wanted to open a physical business in Canada, it would require Canadian partners that it might not have or want.
"The bottom line: If you are a non-Canadian who wants to open a business in Canada, you will have to immigrate to Canada or find one or more Canadians to team up with."
"The bottom line: If you are a non-Canadian who wants to open a business in Canada, you will have to immigrate to Canada or find one or more Canadians to team up with."
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/startup/f/Non-Canadians-How...