Ottawa tax partner Carole Chouinard has been named among eight Canadian business and academic leaders who will serve as special commissioners on an independent tax review assembled by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

The commission, announced on July 30, will oversee a national consultation on an overhaul of Canada's tax system to spur the economy's growth in the post-COVID era. As an advocate for Canadian businesses of all sizes, the Chamber sees a "more competitive, simpler and fairer tax system as a critical driver of Canada's recovery from the economic crater of COVID-19."

A distinguished tax lawyer, Chouinard advises Canadian and international clients on share and asset sales and reorganizations of corporations, as well as on the formation and structuring of corporations, trusts, partnerships and tax-exempt entities. She serves as co-leader of Gowling WLG's national Charities & Not-for-Profits Group.

Chouinard is frequently ranked among Canada's top tax practitioners in various legal directories as a result of feedback attained from clients and peers. She is currently listed in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, The Best Lawyers in Canada and the International Tax Review: Women in Tax Leaders.

"It's an honour and privilege to be selected to serve as one of eight special commissioners to lead the public consultation process launched by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to reassess our country's tax regime and solicit potential ideas for tax reform," said Chouinard. "As our national economy strives to recover from the effects of the pandemic, it will be more important than ever to foster growth, investment and job creation within a framework that streamlines our tax system and makes it more competitive."

The first step in the Canadian Chamber's review process involves public consultations on how to harness Canada's tax system to nurture investment. The special commissioners will lead the consultation process by engaging Canadian businesses and economic experts in events across the country in August and September 2020.

Dates of the town hall events are as follows:

  • Tuesday, Aug. 11 - 1:00 p.m. PT – Western Canada
  • Wednesday, Aug. 12 - 1:00 p.m. ET – Central Canada
  • Wednesday, Aug. 19 - 1:00 p.m. ET – Quebec
  • Wednesday, Aug. 26 - 1:00 p.m. ADT – Atlantic Canada
  • Wednesday, Sept. 2 - 1:00 p.m. ET – Northern Canada

Business and community leaders are encouraged to attend the town hall meetings. To attend any of the above meetings, contact the Canadian Chamber of Commerce at lcheng@chamber.ca.

Gowling WLG's Tax Group has extensive experience advising both Canadian and international clients, and has an in-depth understanding of a wide range of industries, including apparel, banking, energy, finance and leasing, insurance, manufacturing, payments, real estate, traditional and internet retail, telecommunications and transportation.