On June 8, 2016, Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development announced that it would be undertaking a review of the Special Economic Measures Act and the Freezing of Assets of Corrupt Foreign Public Officials Act. The announcement did not receive much press at the time. The announcement states:
September 2016
Canadian Sales Tax Rates (effective as of October 1, 2016)
Canada’s sales tax rates chart must be changed again as Prince Edward Island increases its sales tax rate to 15% as at October 1, 2016. Canadian businesses and foreign businesses carrying on business in Canada must update their systems to reflect the new rate for PEI.
Canadian Sales Tax Rates Chart
As at January 1, …
What Should Canadians Listen For While Watching the U.S. Presidential Debate
U.S.A.
Tonight is the first U.S. Presidential Debate. Every 4 years, Canadian bureaucrats and those interested in politics watch the debates looking for clues as to what good and bad may be coming. I thought it would be useful to make a list, from the perspective of a Canadian trade lawyer, of what Canadians should…
How To File A “Service Complaint” Against The Canada Revenue Agency
In writing this blog post, we are not advocating filing baseless, frivolous, vexatious and retaliatory “service complaints” against Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) auditors, collections officers and other employees of the CRA. However, we have learned from the experience of our clients that some legitimate complaints arise from time-to-time. It is in the spirit of transparency…
How To File A Complaint Against The Canada Border Services Agency
In writing this blog post, we are not advocating filing baseless, frivolous, vexatious and retaliatory complaints against Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) officers. However, we have learned from the experience of our clients that some legitimate complaints arise from time-to-time. It is in the spirit of transparency and openness that we have decided to write…
Minister Responsible For The CBSA Does Not Understand How Canada’s Antidumping Law Works
Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (Ralph Goodale) is responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”). On September 20, 2016, Minister Goodale was asked about the antidumping case against gypsum board from the United States being imported/consumed/used in Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and Northwest Territories). Minister Goodale made…
What Is A “Customs Controlled Area”?
On April 27, 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) released Guide BS5156 “What you need to know about Customs Controlled Areas”. In this one page document, the CBSA informs the public that a “customs controlled area” is:
“A designated area where there is a likelihood that domestic employees or domestic origin travellers leaving…
Canada Border Services Agency Revised Code of Conduct Is Published Online
On August 16, 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) posted its revised Code of Conduct, to which all CBSA officers must adhere. The three “values” pillars of the CBSA Code of Conduct are (1) Respect, (2) Integrity and (3) Professionalism.
Respect
The CBSA makes the following statements in the Code of Conduct regarding…
What Should Canadian Businesses Know About Canadian Goods Returned For Warranty Repairs?
One area of confusion for many small and medium Canadian businesses is the customs treatment of goods manufactured in Canada that are sold outside Canada (and exported), but have to be returned temporarily for warranty repairs. The goods manufactured in Canada may be entirely Canadian input content or may be made partly with foreign inputs. …
Canadian Companies Should Not Be Duped By North Korea, Which Is Subject To Strict Trade Sanctions
Canada
Canadian companies must be careful to not inadvertently breach Canada’s very strict sanctions against North Korea. Most Canadian companies know that almost all dealings with North Korea are either not permitted or that an export permit or ministerial authorization is required. That is why it comes as quite a shock to learn that not…