Tax & Trade Blog

On April 22, 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) issued a Notice of Initiation of Investigation under the Special Import Measures Act (“SIMA”) in respect of the alleged dumping and subsidizing of certain pea protein from China.  This investigation was prompted by a joint complaint filed by two manufacturers in Manitoba. 

The goods under investigation are more specifically described as: 

High protein content (“HPC”) pea protein originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China in all physical forms regardless of packaging, with a minimum pea protein content of 65 percent on a dry weight basis calculated using a Jones factor of 6.25 (the “Subject Goods”).  

In today’s economy, every dollar counts, a sentiment echoed by the Federal government.  It appears that BC Finance also dances to this tune, as the province’s 2024 Budget includes an amendment to the definition of “software” in the BC Provincial Sales Tax Act(“PSTA”), retroactive to April 1, 2013! 

While the amendment is described as “clarifying” the definition, it is difficult not to see it as BC Finance’s response to a recent tax appeal decision from the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

On March 27, 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency ("CBSA") received a representation from Tenaris Canada ("Tenaris"), requesting a reinvestigation of normal values and subsidy amounts for oil country tubular goods ("OCTG1") and seamless casing ("SC") exported from China. Under the CBSA’s policy, other interested persons have the opportunity to respond to this representation by submitting comments to the CBSA.