I don't understand the question in relation to the 'How to trigger a tax loss w/o selling' subject matter.  A 'deemed disposition' means you still keep the shares but are able to claim a tax loss without actually selling (and rebuying if you wanted to keep them).

Insiders only have to report actual trades.

If CRA pushes back on the "virtually ceased operations" characterization just tell the CRA to call Don and ask him what he's done in the last five years.  Case closed: you're getting your tax loss.

JMHO