Bobby B. Solhi

Partner

 | Toronto

Bobby Solhi is a distinguished partner in the Tax & Trusts Group at Cassels where he leads the Canadian sales, commodity, and indirect taxes practice. Bobby is a strategic tax advisor to many leading organizations including those in transportation, logistics, real estate and development, technology, energy, lending and financial services.

Bobby is also an experienced tax litigator with a comprehensive tax litigation and tax dispute resolution practice, and significant success in defending against tax audits, pursuing tax appeals and, when necessary, litigating tax disputes before the Courts.

Bobby is a frequent writer and presenter on tax law matters before accounting, financial, and industry organizations. He is a featured Canadian tax law expert for LexisNexis’ Legal Practice Advisor where he has published tax modules for lawyers involved in corporate and commercial transactions.

Recent representative work includes advising:

  • A post-secondary institution on a tax appeal with respect to the application of GST/QST on payments receive from its US parent company
  • A leading re-fueling supplier on a tax appeal with respect to the Ontario Fuel Tax Act
  • A multinational consumer electronics retailer on the application of GST/HST/PST to its online marketplace and platform operations as well as negotiating with tax authorities across Canada on the application of the tax rules and transitional relief
  • A global travel retailer on the Canadian tax implications to its e-commerce platform operations including implementing changes to consumer terms of use, commercial agreements, and cross-border supplies
  • Loblaws Inc. on its $875 million acquisition of the Lifemark Health Group to expand Shoppers Drug Mart’s healthcare services
  • Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company in its acquisition of Gerber Life Insurance Company’s Canadian insurance business from US-based Western & Southern Financial Group
  • A purchaser on the tax aspects of a successful acquisition of a Canadian bank
  • Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment on its acquisition of Fallsview Casino and Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre
  • A purchaser on the tax aspects of a significant acquisition of agricultural businesses in western Canada
  • A multi-national chemical supplier on the tax implications of interprovincial sales
  • Various multi-national technology firms on the tax implications of cross-border technology service/SAS arrangements
  • Various foreign technology companies with tax aspects of inbound transactions
  • Automotive suppliers on tax implications of exports and outbound transactions
  • Wholesalers of tobacco products in significant tax dispute
  • Various individual and corporate clients in tax disputes at the Tax Court and Federal Court level

In addition, Bobby has advised clients on:

  • Transaction taxes related to purchases by private equity investors
  • The application of the carbon tax to major clients in the energy sector
  • The tax aspects of renewal energy projects
  • The tax aspects of multi-billion-dollar class action settlements
  • The tax structuring of several multi-unit real property developments
  • Tax residency issues for foreign clients with Canadian business activities

Select tax cases include:

  • 1351231 Ontario Inc. v. The King (2020-2170(GST)G)
  • Champlain College of Vermont – Montreal Campus v. His Majesty the King (Consent to Judgment Order) (2021-948(GST)G)
  • Champlain College of Vermont – Montreal Campus v. His Majesty the King (Motion for Particulars Order) (2021-948(GST)G)
  • 4Refuel GP Corporation, General Partner of 4Refuel Canada LP v. The Minister of Finance (Ontario Superior Court of Justice CV-21-00655460-0000)
  • Champlain College of Vermont – Montreal Campus v. His Majesty the King (2021-948(GST)G)
  • Alec Bradley Cigar Manufacturers of Canada Inc. v. The Minister of Finance (Ontario Superior Court of Justice – CV-21-00656871)
  • Ontario Electrical Construction Company Limited v. Her Majesty the Queen (2019-3772(GST)G)
  • Rybakova, et al. v. Her Majesty The Queen (2019-3772(GST)G)
  • Garipov, et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen (2015-2106 (GST)I, 2015-2110(GST)I)
  • Rybakov, et al v. Her Majesty the Queen (2019 TCC 284)
  • Rybakov, et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen (2019 TCC 209)
  • Lohas Farm Inc. v. Her Majesty the Queen (2019 TCC 197)
  • 2253787 Ontario Inc. v Her Majesty The Queen (2014 TCC 121)
  • 2266504 Ontario Inc. v Her Majesty The Queen
  • Faisal Javaid v. Her Majesty The Queen (2015 TCC 94)
  • Ranjbar v. Canada (2016 FCA 116)
  • Kniazev v. Her Majesty The Queen (2017-456 (GST)I)
  • Kniazev v. Her Majesty The Queen (2017-457 (GST)I)

Prior to joining Cassels, Bobby served as a partner in the Tax Group of a full-service Canadian law firm.

  • Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Canada, Certificate of Achievement
  • Honourable Paul I.B. and Mrs. Tevis Staniszewski Award
  • Legal500 Canada (Tax)
  • Millennium Excellence Scholarship
  • Thomson Reuters, Stand Out Lawyer (2024)
  • Various children’s charities, participant
  • J.D./LL.B., Osgoode Hall, 2008
  • Specialized GST/HST Financial Services Course, CPA Canada
  • In-Depth Tax Course Parts I, II, and III, CPA Canada
  • In-Depth HST/GST Course, CICA
  • Ontario, 2009
  • Canadian Tax Foundation, Member
  • Donald G.H. Bowman National Tax Moot, Panelist
  • Ontario Bar Association, Member