AIT Ruling Media release

Media Contact: Shawn Griffiths Manager, Public Relations Marketing & Communications T: 416-544-4781 F: 416-322-6481 sgriffiths@cga-ontario.org
Related Topics: AIT Report

AIT ruling permits CGAs certified in other provinces to practise public accounting in Ontario

TORONTO, ON (February 14, 2012) - A panel hearing under the Agreement of Internal Trade (AIT) to resolve a dispute between the governments of Manitoba and Ontario regarding labour mobility for CGAs released its ruling to the public yesterday, after the expiry of the appeal period. The province of Ontario did not appeal the ruling.

This ruling is important for CGAs because, once implemented, it will allow CGAs who practise public accounting in other provinces to practise public accounting in Ontario without any requirement for additional training, experience, examinations or assessments.

During a public hearing on November 29, 2011 in Toronto, the Panel reviewed competing submissions to settle the dispute. The Government of Ontario claimed that material differences exist among the provinces/territories in respect to the competencies and standards established for licensing or authorization to practise public accounting. Therefore, to protect consumers, they argued that qualifications of individual applicants should be assessed against Ontario’s public accounting certification requirements.

The Government of Manitoba objected on the grounds that the Ontario licensing regime causes injury to CGAs certified in other provinces wishing to practise public accounting in Ontario and is inconsistent with the AIT. Manitoba was joined by Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan as intervenors.

The full report from the AIT can be viewed by http://www.ait-aci.ca/index_en/dispute.htm.

The AIT is an intergovernmental trade agreement signed by Canadian First Ministers in July 1994. Its purpose is to reduce and eliminate, to the extent possible, barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and investment within Canada to establish an open, efficient and stable domestic market. Access to the dispute resolution mechanisms of the AIT is open to governments, individuals and businesses.