Bev Passey, president of the Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba announced today that CGA Manitoba has written to the Attorney General of Ontario offering to declare their internal trade dispute with Ontario resolved.

Ontario’s Red Tape Commission recently issued a report recommending fundamental changes to Ontario’s public accountant licensing system. It is recommending new rules that foster greater competition in the field of public accounting.

The recommendations include a level playing field for the three professional accounting designations, a common licensing exam and a reformed regulatory body to protect the interests of consumers and third parties who rely on accountants’ representations.

Passey says that these changes would effectively resolve the issues raised by the recent internal trade panel on Ontario’s public accountant licensing system. The panel found that the CA monopoly on public accounting in Ontario is a barrier to mobility.