Ontario accountants lead national coalition calling for tax reform

TORONTO, October 25, 2026 – The provincial regulatory body for professional accountants in Ontario is leading a national coalition in calling for comprehensive tax reform. Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario is working with five business and professional organizations to advance the campaign: the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Together the organizations represent more than 700,000 businesses and professionals.

"Canada must act now to reset its economic trajectory with a redesigned tax system focused on growth, competitiveness and innovation," said CPA Ontario president and CEO Carol Wilding. “While targeted tax reforms are needed, Canada also urgently needs a generational review to ensure our tax system positions Canada for the economy of the 21st century.”

In Tax Reform for Growth in Canada, CPA Ontario lays out the case that the complexity of Canada’s current tax system is diverting resources from productive activities and discouraging investment and entrepreneurship. The coalition’s call to action and further details of its reform proposal can be found here on the website of CPA Ontario.

A history of calls for tax reform

The business community, including the accounting profession, has been calling for tax reform for years. CPA Canada has published several reports, surveys and pre-budget advice over the years. The Globe and Mail recently reported on a KPMG tax reform survey that aligned with many similar calls from business and professional groups.

“Numerous business and policy experts have warned Canada’s tax code has become too burdensome and complicated,” states the media outlet. “They argue that an effort to remove carve-outs and simplify the tax system would help attract capital and boost investment.” Thus far the government has been non-committal, and some believe that the pro-business Carney government is not prepared to address tax reform until trade tensions have eased.

Canadian Accountant published its most recent article on the topic, Broad tax reform belongs at the centre of Canada’s growth agenda, by economist Glenn Hodgson, last month. Canadian Accountant’s coverage of the issue dates back to its launch, in 2017, with A trust deficit: Five surprises from the G20 Public Trust in Tax survey. The decade-old survey reported that only 35 per cent of Canadian respondents agreed that the work of professional accountants contributes to a fairer tax system. The success of the tax reform agenda may depend on the buy-in of average Canadians rather than industry groups.

Business, professional leaders point to progress

In a statement, the coalition welcomed the federal government's introduction of the Productivity Mega-Deduction as an important step toward improving Canada's investment climate. “Further action is still needed to support entrepreneurship, business expansion and Canada’s future economic prosperity.”

“Business success matters for all of our success, said Candace Laing, president and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “When the federal government introduced the Productivity Mega Deduction this fall, it was a clear signal that Canada was reopening for business. In one fell swoop, it put Canada back on the map as an investment destination.

“However, there are still many tax irritants and compliance challenges that serve to slow business investment and growth, holding back the full promise of a supercycle,” continued Laing. “Business needs a modern tax code to attract investment, and so our businesses can get back to competing in the new global economy.”

The coalition says it is committed to working constructively with federal policymakers to advance tax reforms that help create the conditions for stronger economic growth, business competitiveness and long-term prosperity.

By Canadian Accountant editors with files from CPA Ontario.