Comments to Proposed Canadian Legislation on Application of Goods & Services Tax to Pension Expenses and Financial Institutions: November 10, 2009

On November 10, 2009, TEI filed comments with the Canadian Department of Finance concerning proposed legislation relating to the goods and services tax on pension expenses and financial institutions. The comments were prepared under the aegis of the Institute's Canadian Commodity Tax Committee, whose chair is Diana M. Spagnuolo of Imperial Oil Limited. Materially contributing to the preparation of the comments were TEI's Vice President for Canadian Affairs, Sherrie Ann Pollock of RBC Dexia Investor Services, and committee vice chair Carol Felepchuk of TD Bank Finance Group. On September 23, 2009, the Department of Finance released draft legislation, explanatory notes, and a backgrounder concerning several measures aimed at improving and streamlining the application of the goods and services tax (GST) to pension plans and the financial services sector. The proposal includes changes in the following areas: