Ottawa Canal at night
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Canada will host the 52nd General Assembly of the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT) in Ottawa next week, which will provide government officials with an opportunity to discuss best practices in tax administration with global counterparts and to bolster efforts against tax evasion, the Canada Revenue Agency announced on Friday.

“Co-operation between tax administrations is critical to strengthening our tax systems and effectively combating tax cheating beyond our borders,” said Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, in a statement.

The CIAT is a regional tax organization consisting of 40 member and associate member countries from four continents, predominantly the Americas. Canada, which last hosted the general assembly in 2002, is one of the 19 founding members of the CIAT and shares a rotating regional seat on its executive council with the U.S. and Mexico.

The CIAT general assembly provides Canada with an opportunity to foster strong relationships with international partners, including countries in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, the CRA says. It also encourages collaboration and co-ordination among global tax administrations for the purpose of better information sharing. This information supports the CRA’s efforts in its fight against tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance by strengthening its ability to identify tax evaders.

The theme of this year’s general assembly is “World Class Tax Administration.” Delegates will examine the impact of tax administration on society, the state and international relations. Guest from the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank Group, among other international organizations, will attend the conference.