First proposed by the Commission in January, these legally-binding rules were agreed swiftly to spur global efforts to clamp down on aggressive tax planning.

The Anti Tax Avoidance Directive sets out five key anti-avoidance measures, which all Member States should apply, to counter-act some of the most common types of aggressive tax planning (as identified in the discussions at the OECD, in Council discussions on tax avoidance and in the Study on Aggressive Tax Planning that we also published on 28 January).

The Anti Tax Avoidance Directive sets out six key anti-avoidance measures, which all Member States should apply, to counter-act some of the most common types of aggressive tax planning (as identified in the discussions at the OECD, in Council discussions on tax avoidance and in the Study on Aggressive Tax Planning we have also published today).

My role at Mackenzie as Vice-President Tax and Estate Planning encompasses tax and estate education and planning, and practice management education and coaching for independent financial advisers who sell Mackenzie funds.

At a time of fiscal consolidation Member States are not maximising the tax revenue they could have and the issue of fairness is squarely on the agenda. The enclosed background note illustrates the need for Member States to decide on key proposals on the Council table such as the Savings Tax Directive and to make more intensive use of the policy instruments that are already available including an ambitious implementation of the Commission's Action Plan on strengthening the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion and the two Recommendations on tax havens and aggressive tax planning.

Guy Bigonesse, Director, Aggressive Tax Planning Division, Canada Revenue Agency: Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to provide the Senate committee with some information about the role of tax treaties in tax administration in Canada.