When asked whether expenses for attending a convention, seminar, luncheon meeting or other meeting incurred by an individual in the course of operating a business or an immovable are deductible, CRA stated:
Training costs are not deductible as current expenses and are considered to be capital expenditures under paragraph 18(1)(b) if the training course to which they relate provides a lasting benefit to the taxpayer. …
As stated in paragraph 9 of IT-357R2, a training course should be distinguished from a convention. Unlike a training course, which generally has a classroom format for teaching a subject in accordance with a formal course of study, a convention does not normally have a classroom format and those attending are normally not expected to study text-books, prepare assignments or take tests. In addition, a convention does not become a training course when some of its sessions take the form of workshops. Although convention expenses may provide a lasting benefit to the taxpayer, the taxpayer may deduct these expenses in computing income under subsection 20(10), subject to the limitations contained in that subsection.