Katy is an accomplished tax lawyer whose practice encompasses all areas of Canadian and cross-border corporate income tax law for public and private companies. She serves as a trusted advisor to clients across a wide variety of industries, utilizing her deep problem-solving capabilities to analyze complex tax issues and provide practical, tailored business advice. Katy works with companies in the financial services, consumer products, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, health care, energy, technology, fintech, and blockchain industries.
Katy’s multifaceted practice includes a significant focus on tax issues involving mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions and reorganizations, banking transactions, investment and hedge funds, and private equity matters. In her taxation of executive compensation work, she provides guidance on all aspects of the design and implementation of tax-efficient executive compensation plans for public and private companies, including equity and non-equity-based incentive compensation arrangements. Katy also frequently advises companies and investment funds on taxation issues surrounding segments of the digital economy, such as fintech and blockchain.
A sought-after thought leader, Katy regularly speaks and writes on the taxation of cryptocurrency, executive compensation, and other tax topics. In her frequent presentations at the Canadian Fintech Summit, she has discussed tax issues facing start-ups.
Prior to joining Mintz, Katy was head of the Tax Practice of a Canadian law firm focused on corporate, securities, and transactional law. Earlier, she was a tax lawyer at another Canadian business law firm.
In addition to earning an LLB, Katy has also completed Parts I and II of the CICA In-Depth Tax Courses with the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Experience
- Advised craft brewer Waterloo Brewing on its sale to multinational brewing company Carlsberg Group for $144 million.
- Counseled Advanced Health Intelligence Ltd. (now InHealth Intelligence), an information management company for health organizations in the United Kingdom, on its acquisition of Canadian health technology company Wellteq Digital Health Inc.
- Advised film and television production studio Studio City Toronto and Studio City Rentals, an equipment rental provider for the film and entertainment industry, on its sale to Sunbelt Rentals of Canada, Inc.
- Advised new age media and entertainment company QYOU Media on its $3.2 million public offering of units.
- Advised blockchain services company Blockchain Foundry Inc. on its sale to Canadian financial services technology company WonderFi Technologies Inc.
- Counseled Canadian stock exchange, the NEO exchange, on its sale to Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
- Counseled oil and gas company NG Energy International Corp. on its $17 million prospectus offering of debenture units.
- Counseled global cannabis company The Flowr Corporation on its $35 million sale of its subsidiary Holigen Holdings to two companies in the medical cannabis space, Akanda Corp. and CannaHealth Limited.
- Advised First Ledger Corp., the parent company of cryptocurrency marketplace Bitbuy Technologies Inc., on its sale for $206 million to WonderFi Technologies Inc.
- Advised Canadian multinational banking and financial services company CIBC, as lead agent, for the $130 million IPO of the Starlight Western Canada Multi-Family (No.2) Fund.
- Served as an advisor on the reverse takeover of Givex Information Technology Group Limited, a gift and loyalty program company, and its launch of trading on the TSX.
- Advised on the sale of the minority interest in Fresh Restaurants, a chain specializing in plant-based food, to restaurant chain operator Recipe Unlimited Corporation.
- Served as an advisor on Flow Beverage Corporation’s reverse takeover and trading on the TSX.
viewpoints
Canada’s 2024 Federal Budget Update: The Federal Government Stands Firm on Capital Gains Tax
June 11, 2024 | Alert | By Katy Pitch, Emma Weiss
Draft legislation released on June 10, 2024, which concerns the implementation of Canada’s 2024 federal budget, does not extend capital gains tax relief to corporations, and it subjects private and public stock options to a higher tax rate.
Canada’s Federal Budget 2024: More Changes to the Stock Option Rules = More Headaches for Employers
April 22, 2024 | Alert | By Katy Pitch
Canada’s 2024 federal budget, which takes effect on June 25, includes a capital gains inclusion rate increase that will also significantly affect the taxation of stock options. Option holders will get a 50% deduction for the first $250,000 in stock option employment gains and then 33 1/3% after — instead of a 50% deduction across the board.
Canada’s 2024 Federal Budget: The Time Is Now ... to Lock in Lower Tax Rates
April 17, 2024 | Alert | By Katy Pitch
Canada’s 2024 federal budget, which was released on April 16, includes a capital gains inclusion rate increase, changes to the lifetime capital gains exemption, and the Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Initiative proposal, which recommends a tax carve-out on some capital gains when founders of certain types of businesses sell shares of their company.
Employee Ownership Trusts Update – The Tax Incentives that Everyone was Hoping For
November 21, 2023 | Blog | By Katy Pitch
The Canadian Government released its Fall Economic Statement (“FES 2023”) on November 21, 2023 outlining the government’s fiscal update. FES 2023 focuses on housing, affordability, and fighting climate change. However, buried in the middle of the 131-page document is a paragraph highlighting a proposed tax change regarding the recent tax rules implementing Employee Ownership Trusts (“EOTs”).
News & Press
Navigating Long-Term Incentives for Private Companies
October 30, 2024
Mintz’s Brad Tartick, Katy Pitch, and Shmuel Gibson, partnered with Hugessen Consulting to explore key considerations for Canadian private companies designing and implementing long-term incentive plans (LTIPs).
TORONTO- Mintz is pleased to announce the recognition of several attorneys in the Canadian Lawyer’s 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory.
Mintz Announces Record Member Growth in 2023
December 22, 2023
Mintz proudly announced the election of 13 attorneys to Members and the addition of a record-setting 22 new lateral Members in 2023, with 11 Partners in the newly opened Toronto office. This diverse group strengthens Mintz’s core areas, spanning Commercial and IP Litigation, Life Sciences, Tech, Private Equity, and Energy & Sustainability. The elevated Members and new lateral additions bring invaluable expertise to help clients navigate complex legal landscapes.
High-Profile Toronto Real Estate Attorney Joins Mintz
December 18, 2023
TORONTO – Mintz continues its expansion in Toronto with the addition of Mervyn Allen who joins as a Partner and will launch the firm’s Real Estate practice in Canada.
US Legal Giant Mintz Levin Hires Four More Bay Street Stars To Beef Up Fast-Growing Toronto Office
September 29, 2023
The Globe and Mail highlighted Mintz’s continued growth in the Toronto market in an article detailing the arrival of several leading attorneys, including Partners Katy Pitch, Alex North, and Anthony de Fazekas.
Mintz Adds Strength To Cross-Border Corporate Practice
September 25, 2023
TORONTO – Mintz is set to further enhance its Debt Financing practice with the addition of Alex North, who joins as a Partner and will bolster the firm’s US and Canadian capabilities.
Member Katy Pitch's arrival to Mintz's Toronto office was featured in an article published by Law360.
The arrival of Member Katy Pitch to the firm's Toronto office was featured in an article published by The Global Legal Post.
The arrival of Member Katy Pitch to the firm's Toronto office was featured in an article published by Bloomberg Tax.
TORONTO – Mintz is pleased to announce that Katy Pitch, a tax lawyer, joined the firm’s Toronto office as a partner. Ms. Pitch comes from Wildeboer Dellelce, where she established and led the tax practice.
Events & Speaking
A Compensation Primer: Navigating Long-Term Incentives for Private Companies
Counselwell
Toronto, ON
Strategic Insights: Legal Frameworks for Canadian Expansion in the U.S.
MaRS Discovery District
Toronto, ON
The New Canadian EOT - Understanding the Tax Benefits
The ESOP Association’s Employee Owned 2024 Conference
Las Vegas, NV
Tax Incentives for the Sale of a Business
PAC Speaker Series: Trending Topics for Professional Advisors
Adath Israel Congregation, 37 Southbourne Ave, North York
Recognition & Awards
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Corporate Tax; Investment Funds & Asset Management – Investment Funds – Tax (2022 – 2023); Repeatedly recommended, Corporate Tax (2024)
Lexpert: Rising Star Awards – Leading Lawyers Under 40 (2018)
Involvement
- Member, International Fiscal Association
- Member, Canadian Tax Foundation
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Board Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto
Recent Insights
Mintz’s Brad Tartick, Katy Pitch, and Shmuel Gibson, partnered with Hugessen Consulting to explore key considerations for Canadian private companies designing and implementing long-term incentive plans (LTIPs).
