Bill S-8

SUMMARY

This enactment implements the most recent tax treaties that Canada has concluded with Colombia, Greece and Turkey.

The treaties implemented reflect efforts to expand Canada’s tax treaty network. Those treaties are generally patterned on the Model Double Taxation Convention prepared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Tax treaties have two main objectives: the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion. Since a tax treaty contains taxation rules that are different from the provisions of the Income Tax Act, it becomes effective only after being given precedence over domestic legislation by an Act of Parliament such as this one. Finally, for each of these tax treaties to become effective, it must to be ratified after the enactment of this Act.