Tax Symposium Looks at the World

The "Globalization and the Impact of Tax on International Investments" symposium being held at Queen's on February 29, 2008, is in honour of Professor Emeritus Alex Easson, who passed away on January 25, 2007.

Tax regimes of the world will come under the scrutiny of Queen's Law when the school hosts a symposium on taxes on February 29, 2008.

"The world is getting increasingly tied together," said Associate Dean Art Cockfield who is co-chair of the conference. "It's important for us to analyse how taxes are affecting the new global economy."

The symposium is hosting "world class" tax lawyers and professors including delegates from across Canada, the United States, and as far away as Australia and Hong Kong.

The focus of the conference is how tax, in light of recent globalization, impacts international investments.

"Governments, over the years, have been working to facilitate trade and investment," said Cockfield. "Taxes can still create significant barriers to trade and investment.

"They're the last thing to go because governments don't want to give up control of their taxes."

The conference is divided into four sessions and a dinner. There will also be a reception on February 28 for people to meet before the day of the symposium.

The sessions will include speakers delivering papers and commentary.

The papers are being compiled into a book by Cockfield.

Attendance at the conference and reception is free. There is a $50 charge for dinner.

Symposium Dedicated to a Renowned Professor

The symposium and dinner is being held in honour of Professor Emeritus Alex Easson, who passed away on January 25, 2007.

Easson, a professor at Queen's Law from 1976 until his retirement in 2000, was internationally renowned for his work on international taxation and foreign investment.

"He was a fine scholar and teacher who made many contributions to the study and practice of tax and international investments," said Cockfield who was a former student of Easson.

Cockfield said the book being published will also be in Easson's honour.

The Queen's Law symposium ‘Globalization and the Impact of Tax on International Investments: A Symposium in Honour of the Late Alex Easson' is being presented with support from KPMG Management Services.

For more information, including the agenda and draft papers, see http://law.queensu.ca/announcements/taxSymposiumAnnouncement.html.

To attend any of the events, including the dinner, please RSVP by contacting Shelly Patrick, Event Manager, Sponsorship & Events for KPMG Management Services at spatrick@kpmg.ca.