It is possible but it must be proved. Ownership of at least half is the ordinary way to show the requirement; below that, the applicant relies on demonstrated operational control, which needs supporting documents.
Control has to appear in the governing documents
A minority holder who genuinely runs a company can usually show it, but only if the paperwork was written that way. Look at the shareholders or operating agreement: who appoints the manager, who signs contracts, who has authority over hiring, banking and spending, and whether any decisions require the consent of others. A managing-member provision, a sole-signatory banking resolution and a clear delegation of day-to-day authority are the kinds of terms that support the claim. Terms requiring unanimous consent for ordinary business decisions cut against it. In the example, restructuring so that one Canadian owner holds a majority is often simpler than arguing control, and the choice should be made deliberately with commercial and tax advice rather than left to whatever the first draft said.
Hypothetical example: a micro-roastery owner has treaty nationality and savings, but the proposed café remains an idea while the lease and equipment are still optional. The first review asks what has actually been committed, what can be lost, and whether the planned operation can support more than the owner. It produces a closing list—lease, equipment, licences, contracts, operating account and role description—and identifies which items must precede the application. The investor must have a real role in developing and directing operations; a passive loan or a refundable reservation will not answer that question. Decide whether to commit on commercially sensible terms or wait until the business can be launched credibly.