Chris Johnston

Chris Johnston
Biography
Chris Johnston is a tax lawyer with a broad tax practice that includes personal and corporate tax planning. He has experience advising clients on tax-effective corporate structuring, reorganizations, business succession planning, as well as inter vivos and post-mortem estate planning. He also advises on transactional tax planning and international tax matters.
Chris completed the CPA In-Depth Tax Course in 2021.
Professional experience
Rankings and recognitions
Rankings and recognitions
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada: Tax Law, 2025
- Recipient, Best Newsletter Article by a Young Practitioner Award, Canadian Tax Foundation, 2023
Education
Education
J.D., University of Calgary, 2017
B.A., Wilfrid Laurier University, 2011
Admissions
Admissions
- Alberta 2018
Publications
Publications
- "Employee Ownership Trusts: Acquiring a Qualifying Business Using a Wholly Owned CCPC," (2023) 13:3 Canadian Tax Focus 5.
- "Disclosing Persons Who Exert Influence on Trustees" (co-author), (2021) 11:2 Canadian Tax Focus 1-2.
- "Univar: Arm's-Length Surplus Strip Not Abusive" (co-author), (2018) 8:1 Canadian Tax Focus 8-9.
Speaking engagements
Speaking engagements
- "Out with the Old, in with the New: Recent updates in Canadian succession planning" (co-presenter), Canadian Bar Association (Alberta), Tax Law Section – South, April 25, 2023.
- "Business Expansion: North to South" (co-presenter), Canadian Bar Association (Alberta), Tax Law Section – South, January 10, 2022.
- "Tax Considerations for Departing Canada" (co-presenter), Canadian Bar Association (Alberta), Tax Non-Specialist Section – South, September 3, 2020.
Memberships and activities
Memberships and activities
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Alberta
- Calgary Bar Association
- Canadian Tax Foundation
- Canadian Petroleum Tax Society
- International Fiscal Association
- Executive Committee, Taxation Law (South) Section, Canadian Bar Association (Alberta)
Insights and news
Client Work
Special Committee of MEG Energy Corp. in connection with its acquisition by Cenovus Energy Inc.
Canada | August 26, 2025
Amcomri Entertainment Inc., in connection with sale of its television and film business
Canada | September 12, 2024
Crescent Point Energy Corp. acquires Hammerhead Energy Inc.
Canada | November 20, 2023
Special Committee of MEG Energy Corp. in connection with its acquisition by Cenovus Energy Inc.
Canada | August 26, 2025
Amcomri Entertainment Inc., in connection with sale of its television and film business
Canada | September 12, 2024
Crescent Point Energy Corp. acquires Hammerhead Energy Inc.
Canada | November 20, 2023