Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 08 DECEMBER 2015

CRA Positions On Deferred Share Unit Plans And Private Health Services Plans

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Contributor
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

As one of Canada’s top business law firms, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) provides...

View firm profile
Explore more from Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

In November of this year at the Canadian Tax Foundation's 67th Annual Tax Conference (Conference), the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced its current positions on Deferred Share Unit (DSU) conversions...

CanadaEmployment and HR
Blakes Pensions, Benefits & Executive Compensation Group
Blakes Pensions, Benefits & Executive Compensation Group
Author LinkedIn connections

In November of this year at the Canadian Tax Foundation's 67th Annual Tax Conference (Conference), the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced its current positions on Deferred Share Unit (DSU) conversions; payment events for DSU plans that cover U.S. taxpayers; and the requirement that Private Health Services Plans (PHSPs) provide benefits that qualify for the medical expense tax credit.

DSU CONVERSIONS

The CRA was asked about the conversion of restricted share units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) that were designed to satisfy the conditions of paragraph (k) of the salary deferral arrangement (SDA) definition in subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act, which permits bonuses to be deferred for three years, to DSUs that were intended to satisfy the requirements of paragraph 6801(d) of the Income Tax Regulations (Regulations), i.e., share-based awards that are only payable after death, retirement or loss of office.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

WorkSafeBC Proposes Changes To Laws Regarding Workplace Harassment And Violence

WorkSafeBC is proposing significant amendments to British Columbia's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation that would fundamentally reshape how employers address workplace harassment, violence, and psychological health. The proposed changes introduce expanded definitions, new prevention program requirements, and obligations to identify and control psychosocial hazards. These amendments could require most B.C. employers to substantially revise their existing workplace policies and procedures.
CanadaEmployment and HR
Cassels
Cassels
Article

Tariffs, Terminations And EI: Implications Of Canada’s New Support Package For Employers

Canada's federal government has announced a $3.5 billion rapid response support package in anticipation of retaliatory tariffs against the United States, introducing new temporary employment insurance measures and workforce retention programs. The package extends EI benefits, waives waiting periods, and creates funding opportunities for employers to retain and retrain workers rather than implement large-scale layoffs.
CanadaEmployment and HR
Siskinds LLP
Siskinds LLP
Article

Canada Imposes Counter-Tariffs On C$27.6-Billion Of U.S. Imports, Effective September 8, 2026

Canada has announced C$27.6-billion in counter-tariffs on U.S. imports, effective September 8, 2026, targeting over 700 product classifications across steel, aluminum, dairy, electronics, and other sectors. The measures represent a dollar-for-dollar response to U.S. Section 338 tariffs, with rates ranging from 15% to 50% depending on the product category. The government has also introduced a C$7.5-billion support package for affected Canadian workers and businesses.
CanadaInternational Law
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article

Manitoba Expanding Land Transfer Tax To Beneficial Transfers

Effective January 1, 2027, Manitoba is expanding its land transfer tax regime to apply to beneficial (unregistered) transfers of land, even where legal (registered) title is not being transferred. The amendments bring Manitoba’s regime more closely in line with Ontario’s and Quebec’s current regimes and will affect transactions involving bare trusts, nominees and other ownership structures that separate legal and beneficial ownership of land.
CanadaTax
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article

Digging Deeper: Canadian Mining Sector Tax Update

Canada’s mining sector is at an important inflection point. Against a backdrop of growing global demand for critical minerals and increased competition for investment capital, the Canadian federal government has recently introduced a series of tax measures designed to encourage investment and strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s mining industry. For investors, these measures may meaningfully influence the after-tax economics of projects and financing structures across the mining value chain.
CanadaEnergy and Natural Resources
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article

Fall Forecast: What To Watch In Canada’s Communications Sector

Canada's broadcasting, telecommunications, and satellite industries face significant regulatory changes this fall as Parliament advances key legislation. From the CRTC's implementation of the Online Streaming Act amid U.S. trade tensions to new lawful access requirements for service providers and the establishment of Canada's first space launch framework, these developments will reshape operational requirements across the communications sector.
CanadaMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article

Competition Bureau Reaches Consent Agreement With Empire Company Limited Regarding Grocery Property Controls

The Competition Bureau of Canada has entered into a consent agreement with Empire Company Limited, parent of major grocery chains including Sobeys and Safeway, restricting the company's use of property controls that limit competition. This agreement prohibits Empire from enforcing certain restrictive covenants and exclusivity clauses that prevent other grocers from operating nearby, despite Empire's earlier voluntary commitments. The Bureau's action signals heightened regulatory scrutiny of property control
CanadaAntitrust/Competition Law
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Article

Sweeping Changes In Store For Canada’s Defence Procurement Regime

The Canadian federal government has introduced Bill C-40, transforming the Defence Investment Agency into an independent Crown corporation with expanded procurement powers and novel financial authorities. This legislative shift enables streamlined defence procurement, private capital integration, and broader non-competitive contracting capabilities while redefining national security supply chains.
CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP