WHAT WE DO

In an increasingly competitive market, companies must provide creative and tax-effective compensation and benefits to attract, retain and motivate the highest quality people. Well-designed compensation plans and arrangements that take into account the complexities of domestic and foreign tax regimes, as well as securities and employment laws, can assist companies in avoiding unexpected costs and controversy, and can yield significant advantages in developing a premier workforce and superior management team.

The Executive Compensation Group is a multidisciplinary team of professionals with expertise in taxation, pensions and benefits, employment and securities laws, and corporate governance. As part of a full-service firm with offices across Canada as well as in Moscow and London, we provide innovative and seamless advice, from both a local and global perspective, on all compensation and benefits issues.

PLANS TAILORED TO SUIT ALL NEEDS

Before adopting any executive compensation plan, we work with clients to determine which plan(s) will help them best meet their business objectives. Once we understand an organization’s goals, we use our experience, knowledge and creativity to devise unique and innovative ways to achieve them.

Our Group can design a full range of contemporary compensation plans, including equity-based incentive plans and arrangements, and phantom share and performance-based plans as well as registered pension plans, supplementary retirement plans, retirement compensation arrangements, group RRSPs and retiring allowances. We counsel clients on governance aspects, securities law and stock exchange compliance, and the tax implications for the company and individuals participating in these plans. Our employment lawyers have expertise in drafting and negotiating senior executive employment contracts as well as change-of-control, indemnification and severance agreements.

IN CANADA AND ABROAD

As the sole Canadian member of Taxand, an award-winning global network of leading tax advisers spanning nearly 50 countries including the U.S., Gowlings bridges tax borders by delivering high-quality, integrated advice on the tax laws of those countries, in addition to the Canadian tax implications of arrangements for clients and their employees.

We also assist with transfers of foreign personnel between Canada and other jurisdictions on a temporary or permanent basis, and provide advice regarding visa and work permit issues as well as Canadian income tax implications for inbound and outbound personnel.