The taxpayer was found to be a Canadian-controlled private corporation, as neither de jure nor de facto control was held by non-residents.
Respecting a submission of the Crown that a U.S. corporation ("Silicon U.S."), that had lent U.S $5 million to the taxpayer and made financial contributions for software development and marketing, whose founder was a director of the taxpayer and whose hardware was utilized by the taxpayer's software, exercised de facto control over the taxpayer. Sexton J.A. stated (at p. 7121) "that in order for there to be a finding of de facto control a person or group of persons must have the clear right and ability to effect a significant change in the board of directors or to influence in a very direct way the shareholders who would otherwise have the ability to elect the board of directors." Here, Silicon U.S. was merely protecting its interests as lender to the taxpayer, and Toronto management managed the taxpayer and annually prepared the slate of individuals to be elected to the board.