End of an Era

I was recently asked if a refund claim project could be initiated for duties paid for a company who's business number was no longer active. After reviewing the possibilities, it was determined that due to some outstanding debt owed to the Receiver General, that any claims approved would be used to off-set the debt owed to the Crown. An unfortunate set of circumstances both from the perspective of a company that had to shut down as well as from the lost opportunity to recover duties that were overpaid to the Canada Border Services Agency.

How can companies who face financial instabilities utilize possible avenues of injecting funds back into their business?
My first suggestion is that when conversations begin with accounting and legal firms to understand options and steps to take, discussions with a Customs Practitioner should be incorporated. There may be avenues to explore to find overpayment of duties that could assist in bringing back the financial stability that the corporation is looking for.

Another option is to review how the restructuring is occurring. Is the company being dissolved with assets sold? Will the new corporation continue to utilize the old business #? What does that mean from a Customs and tax perspective? Many questions to answer about a very difficult situation. Of course, there is the emotion behind these types of circumstances and that is usually why the lawyers and accountants are called in to provide guidance and clarity. Again, may be a good idea to include a Customs professional in those discussions so that all gaps and possibilities are looked at while the "End of an Era"  takes shape.

Why do I bring this up?
I do not have a good food example but would like to compare this to something that I was involved with over the last 14+ years.
Volunteering and giving back to the community is something that I was taught and also try to portray to my family by setting an example.
Being involved with community is uplifting, exhilarating, fulfilling and provides an avenue where one can give to others in a meaningful manner.
I focused on the youth and young adults of our congregation for the last 14+ years. A forum was created where the youth could lead services and participate in a non-judgmental setting to allow them to learn and experience what prayer and community is all about. Being that I am not the boisterous, cool young adult any longer, I felt it appropriate to hand the reigns over to those that may have a more keen insight about the youth of today as they are much different (in a positive way) than the youth of yesterday.
So with that, it is the End of an Era for me. I look forward to finding a new volunteering experience that will provide me with the ability to further give back to our community.

To end off, the youth enjoyed some tasty dishes over the years. Here are the links to the previous Blog posts where the recipes were outlined:
1) Chaud-Lent: https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-secret.html
2) Potato Kugel: https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/04/sop.html
3) Potato Salad: https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/06/health.html
4) Chicken Wings and Salad: https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/06/better-late-than-never.html
5) Gravlax: https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/07/preserve-data.html
6) Kani Salad: https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/08/remote.html

Both from a Customs perspective and for personal focus, the End of an Era does not have to mean the end. It can also mean that a new beginning is about to take place.
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada

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