Our agreement is based on the OECD model created in 2002. The vast majority of TIEAs are very similar in terms of that. In order to obtain information about a specific taxpayer, a taxing authority must ask the other taxing authority for that information, which would enable the requesting country to apply its tax legislation. In the case of a specific taxpayer, that information can be obtained only upon request.
If the other country's tax authority does not have the information, it is obligated to use the powers given to it under its legislation to request that the entity with the information—for instance, a bank—provide the information that will be sent to Canada.