David works for the First Nations Tax Commission, a federal shared-governance institution that regulates property taxation on reserve across Canada. Before moving to Kamloops in 2018, David worked in the Vancouver offices of Blake, Cassels & Graydon, LLP and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. He practiced in all areas of income tax law, both transactions and litigation. He has no regrets about private practice – and no regrets about leaving it either.
David earned his LL.M. in Taxation from York University in 2025 and completed the CPA In-Depth Tax Course in 2014.
He has been a proud member of the Law Society of BC since 2012.
David joined TRU as a sessional instructor in 2023, teaching Basic Tax Law. He also coaches youth cross-country skiing with the Overlander Ski Club at Stake Lake. He has discovered that both require snack breaks.
Courses taught
- Basic Tax Law (LAWF 3830)
- Property (LAWF 3050)
Publications & Conferences
Publications
- David Ross “Tax Court of Canada’s (Mis)application of the Beneficial Ownership Concept” (September 30, 2024) Tax Notes International 2161
- David Ross “Policy Forum: Sailing Beyond the Sunset? Are De Jure Control and Other Bright-Line Tests Relevant After Deans Knight and the New GAAR?” (2024) 72:3 Canadian Tax Journal 635-647
- David Ross "Credit Card Fees Aren't Indirect Taxation - and Even if They Feel like It, It Doesn't Matter Anyway" (2023) 81:5 Advocate (Vancouver) 667.
- David Ross “Do You Still Give a Hoot If the Point Is Moot? Hootsuite Inc. v. British Columbia (Finance) and the Government's Response - PST and Whether Cloud Computing Software Is ‘Software’” (2023) 81:6 Advocate (Vancouver) 831
Conferences
- December 2025 “First Nations Taxation” Canadian Tax Foundation Annual Conference, Calgary, AB
