Public practice rights to open up in Quebec

CAs in Quebec are to lose their exclusive public practice rights– rights they have had for 60 years. With this move, Quebec becomes the last province to open up the practice of public accounting to other designations. Ontario’s Bill 94, the Public Accounting Act, came into effect on November 1 (see article below).

A few months ago, as noted in an article in Les Affaires, the Certified General Accountants Association of New Brunswick cited the labour mobility provisions in the Agreement on Internal Trade to contest CAs’ exclusive public practice rights in Quebec. The panel set up to examine the issue decided in favour of the CGAs.

Even though this panel has no power to force the issue, says the article, the Office des professions du Québec was asked to take steps so that Quebec is in line with the agreement.

In theory, at least, Quebec could comply with the agreement by allowing CGAs and CMAs from other provinces to practise public accounting in Quebec, while continuing to deny the right to Quebec CMAs and CGAs. But this position would be difficult to defend politically.

The Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec says that it has no objection to sharing the market with CGAs and CMAs, as long as certain conditions are met with regard to education, inspection and professional development.

Meetings are to be held between the Office des professions and the three professional orders, but no one can say for the time being when a bill will be passed.

Related articles

Practice of public accounting in Quebec

«Les CA perdront l'exclusivité de la certification,» Les Affaires, October 29, 2005