Department profile

Tax

Canada Guide 2027 : Nationwide - Canada

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

The Osler Tax Group is consistently recognized as a leading provider of tax law services in Canada. From offices in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Ottawa, Vancouver and New York, Osler’s tax lawyers operate as an integrated unit and in partnership with clients to develop sophisticated solutions to their most complex and important taxation issues. With close to 60 tax professionals, they are able to offer clients expert advice on a broad range of taxation matters of importance to their business interests. In addition, they are pleased to share the benefit of Osler’s extensive experience through Osler Updates, seminars, webinars and other client tailored programs.

The team offers leading expertise and have extensive experience in each of the following areas of corporate tax practice: M&A, Corporate reorganizations and restructurings, tax advisory services, tax controversy and litigation, transfer pricing, Canada/U.S. cross-border tax planning and indirect tax.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Tax - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is renowned for its exceptional tax group, with strength and depth in both tax planning and dispute resolution. Much admired for the breadth of its subject matter and geographical coverage, the firm is particularly well regarded for its litigation expertise as well as advising on big-ticket M&A and transactions. It is also noted for its robust sales tax practice and its work on international taxation and transfer pricing issues. The department's impressive client list includes significant players from a variety of sectors including manufacturing, energy, real estate, technology and financial services.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP assisted Nova Scotia Power on the establishment of a new regulated utility corporation to own and operate the Wasoqonatl Transmission Line, advising on tax questions stemming from the structuring and financing of the project.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The firm has a very seasoned tax team which is experienced and well respected.
Tax respondentCanada
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt offers excellence in navigating the litigation aspects of a matter while maintaining a strong focus on the underlying tax issues to be addressed.
Tax respondentCanada
Osler can take complicated concepts and distil them down, and has a lot of bench strength.
Tax respondentCanada
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is one of the top tax law firms in Canada, with a strong team and the ability to handle highly complex tax matters.
Tax respondentCanada
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt is distinguished by the strength of its technical expertise and its ability to provide clear, well-reasoned advice on discrete and often complex tax questions.
Tax respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
Firoz Ahmed
Firoz Ahmed is a seasoned tax lawyer with experience across the full gamut of matters in the tax space, including high-value acquisitions, in addition to complex corporate restructuring mandates. He is based in Toronto.
Firoz is a massive brain in the community.
Tax respondentCanada
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Star Individuals
Star Individuals
Al Meghji
Al Meghji in Toronto is widely exalted as a luminary in the field of tax disputes. He has represented numerous blue-chip clients, including standout names in natural resources, financial services and retail.
He is a very seasoned lawyer.
Tax respondentCanada
Al is the best in the industry for tax litigation.
Tax respondentCanada
Al brings incredible experience and intellect to the table. He is very thoughtful and detailed in his analyses.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 1
Band 1
Alan Kenigsberg
Alan Kenigsberg handles a range of indirect tax matters and often advises clients on sales tax-related issues.
He is extremely responsive, diligent and thinks about different ways to handle things. He is a remarkable practitioner and very helpful.
Tax respondentCanada
Alan is a really great practitioner and a top name in Canada.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 1
Band 1
Martha MacDonald
Martha MacDonald handles a range of tax disputes, including those relating to transfer pricing, for clients including financial institutions.
She is a strong practical problem solver.
Tax respondentCanada
Martha is very strategic in her thinking. She provides very sound advice and is a great litigator.
Tax respondentCanada
Martha is highly effective in managing complex litigation files and achieving favourable, well-reasoned outcomes.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 1
Band 1
Patrick Marley
Toronto-based Patrick Marley enjoys a stellar reputation and is particularly noted for his expertise in international transactions, as well as advising on major corporate listings and commercial agreements.
Patrick tries to solve issues, not find them, and is practical in his advice.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 2
Band 2
Olivier Fournier
Olivier Fournier has a strong tax litigation practice that sees him work on transfer pricing disputes, among other matters. He is based in Montréal and Toronto.
Olivier provides excellent client service, combining responsiveness with clear, practical guidance. He demonstrates outstanding commercial awareness and consistently adds strategic value beyond purely legal advice.
Tax respondentCanada
Olivier provides exceptional service.
Tax respondentCanada
Olivier is an outstanding lawyer. He has a unique combination of business, theoretical and practical tax knowledge, which makes him a trusted adviser.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 4
Band 4
Edward Rowe
Co-chair of the tax group, Edward Rowe is a highly experienced lawyer who regularly advises clients on tax disputes and tax audits. Based in Calgary, he is particularly active working for clients in the energy and agricultural industries.
He is a brilliant tax lawyer.
Tax respondentCanada
Ed Rowe offers an excellent combination of practical skill and practicality.
Tax respondentCanada
Edward is a very experienced litigator when it comes to strategy and decision analysis.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 3
Band 3
Mark Brender
Mark Brender provides tax counsel to his clients on various transactions and investments. He stands out for his role in high-profile M&A deals, including the acquisition of distressed assets. Brender leads the tax group in Montréal.
Mark is great to work with. He is responsive and his work is first-rate.
Tax respondentCanada
Mark has a very strong practice.
Tax respondentCanada
Mark is a great lecturer and easy to understand.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 4
Band 4
Amanda Heale
Amanda Heale is an esteemed tax litigator with experience acting for clients in international tax and transfer pricing litigation.
Amanda is a very strong tax litigator.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 4
Band 4
Joanne Vandale
Joanne Vandale is growing in prominence due to her capable handling of various contentious tax issues. These include cases in the oil and gas and energy sectors.
Joanne is a pleasure to work with. She strikes the right balance between technical expertise and client management.
Tax respondentCanada
Joanne is really organised and focused.
Tax respondentCanada
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Band 4
Band 4
Manon Thivierge
Manon Thivierge regularly works on tax issues concerning transactions such as M&A and dispositions.
Manon has a thorough knowledge of tax issues and is very efficient.
Tax respondentCanada
Manon is a great and technical lawyer.
Tax respondentCanada
Her level of care, attention to detail and depth and breadth of her knowledge are unmatched.
Tax respondentCanada
She is a respected lawyer.
Tax respondentCanada
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