PUBLIC NOTICE - The Lawful Authority of CGPA Canada and Its Members to Practise Public Accounting and Auditing in British Columbia and Across Canada. CPABC vs CGPA Canada — We Are Second to None.

✅ Accreditation and Legal Recognition

CGPA Canada holds accreditation and recognition from key federal and provincial authorities, including:

• Federal incorporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act — the same federal statute under which CPA Canada is incorporated.

• Recognition by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) as a designated educational institution.

• Authorization to issue T2202 tuition tax receipts under the Income Tax Act for eligible education and training programs.

• Exemption under British Columbia’s Private Training Act, allowing CGPA Canada to offer professional designation-based programs without requiring registration as a private career training institution.

• Adherence to internationally recognized standards, including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Accounting Standards (IAS), International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), and International Education Standard 8 (IES 8) issued by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

  
  

CGPA Canada's membership includes professionals holding the CGPA, FCTP, and FCPFA designations. These members are authorized to provide accounting, assurance, taxation, and consulting services across Canada and internationally, in accordance with CGPA Canada’s independent regulatory framework and applicable laws.

CGPA Canada’s Response to Misleading Statements Published by CPABC Public Notice - CPABC VS CGPA Canada

We strongly object to the misleading and legally inaccurate statements recently published by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) in their public notice. Specifically, CPABC states:

“CGPA Canada is not affiliated with, related to, or endorsed by the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC (‘CPABC’) or CPA Canada; and CGPA Canada’s members are not authorized to practise or hold themselves out as professional accountants in British Columbia unless such persons also hold current membership in good standing with CPABC.”

Our Response:

1. CGPA Canada is an independent chartered professional accounting body duly incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. It is not affiliated with CPABC or CPA Canada — nor is such affiliation required under any law. CPABC also has no legal right, power, or authority to “endorse” other professional bodies such as CGPA Canada.

   • In fact, under Section 3 of the Chartered Professional Accountants Act (BC), CPABC’s mandate is limited to governing the use of the “CPA” designation and regulating individuals who hold themselves out as Chartered Professional Accountants, not practitioners under different designations or frameworks.

2. CGPA Canada members are lawfully authorized to practise accounting, audits, taxation, and advisory services in British Columbia and across Canada. They do so under a separate and independent regulatory framework that adheres to federal law and internationally recognized standards (e.g., IFRS, IFAC, IES 8).

3. There is no requirement in the CPABC Act — including Sections 3, 46, or 47 — that prohibits other legally recognized professionals from offering accounting services under a different designation (such as CGPA). The law only restricts the use of the “Chartered Professional Accountant” or “CPA” titles to those licensed by CPABC.

   • CGPA Canada members do not use the “CPA” designation, and we do not rely on CPA Canada standards in our certification, licensing, or practice framework.

4. CGPA Canada is recognized by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) as an educational institution, is authorized to issue T2202 tax receipts, and is exempt from registration under BC’s Private Training Act. We also comply with Canadian federal law, international standards, and applicable consumer protection laws.

Conclusion:

CPABC’s attempt to imply that CGPA Canada members cannot practise unless licensed by CPABC is both factually incorrect and legally misleading. We reserve all rights to take appropriate legal, regulatory, and public action in response to any defamatory or anti-competitive conduct.

We remain committed to serving the public interest, upholding professional excellence, and promoting diversity in the accounting profession in accordance with Canadian and international law.

CGPA Canada’s Response to False and Misleading Statements by CPABC

The recent public notice published by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) contains several demonstrably false, misleading, and defamatory claims regarding CGPA Canada. We issue the following clarification in the public interest and to correct the record.

CPABC Claim:

“CGPA Canada makes numerous false and misleading statements on its website and in its blogs, including assertions: that CGPA Canada is a regulatory body and chartered professional accountancy body in Canada; that CGPA Canada offers courses, examinations or licences that authorize its members to offer audit, review, or compilation services in British Columbia; and that CGPA Canada has played a pivotal role in shaping Canadian accounting standards.”

✅ CGPA Canada’s Clarification and Response:

1. CGPA Canada is a federally incorporated chartered professional regulatory body under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, with authority to certify, license, and regulate accounting professionals across Canada and internationally. We provide education, examinations, practice rights, and disciplinary oversight consistent with internationally recognized standards, including:

   • International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

   • International Standards on Auditing (ISA)

   • International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)

   • International Education Standard 8 (IES 8) issued by IFAC

2. CGPA Canada is legally recognized as an educational institution by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and is authorized to issue T2202 tax receipts under the Income Tax Act. Additionally, CGPA Canada holds a provincial exemption under BC’s Private Training Act, allowing it to offer professional designation-based programs legally in British Columbia.

3. CGPA Canada licenses and certifies members to perform audit, review, and compilation services based on international standards. Nowhere in Canadian law—federal or provincial—is CPABC granted exclusive national authority over the accounting profession or the practice of such services. In fact:

   • Sections 3, 46, and 47 of the CPABC Act clarify that CPABC’s authority is limited to individuals who hold themselves out as “Chartered Professional Accountants” (CPA), and does not extend to professionals operating under alternative designations.

4. CGPA Canada has actively contributed to the evolution of Canadian accounting and public finance standards, particularly through its affiliated institutes (e.g., CPFA Canada, CTP Canada), which focus on taxation, public sector finance, and regulatory ethics. To suggest that only one body has shaped Canadian accounting is historically and factually false. Canada’s professional landscape includes a plurality of independent institutions.

5. The claim that CGPA Canada “is not and has never been” a professional accountancy body is patently false.

   • CGPA Canada maintains its own licensing framework, continuing professional development (CPD) standards, and a code of professional ethics.

   • We issue post-nominals including CGPA, FCTP, and FCPFA, recognized within our global practice network.

🚫 CPABC Has No Legal Authority to Regulate or Define Other Professional Bodies

It must be emphasized that CPABC:

• Has no legal mandate to regulate, endorse, approve, or define the legitimacy of other federally incorporated professional bodies, including CGPA Canada.

• Has no authority under Section 3 of the CPABC Act or any other statute to control how other qualified professionals practice under different titles or standards.

⚖️ Conclusion

CPABC’s statement is not only misleading — it is a violation of fair competition and misrepresents Canadian regulatory law. We reserve all legal rights and remedies to challenge this conduct under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BC), the Competition Act (Canada), and related statutes.

CGPA Canada remains committed to promoting accountability, plurality, and fairness in Canada’s professional landscape. We invite CPABC to engage in transparent dialogue rather than issuing deceptive public statements that serve to confuse the public and suppress competition.

CGPA Canada’s Response to CPABC’s Misleading Statement on Statutory Authority and Practice Rights in British Columbia

The recent statement published by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) contains several legally flawed and misleading assertions regarding the authority of CGPA Canada and the rights of its members. We issue the following clarification to ensure the public, employers, and regulators are accurately informed.

🔷 CPABC Claim:

“In particular, CGPA Canada has no statutory authority to regulate the CPA profession in British Columbia. That authority is granted exclusively to CPABC, the sole professional regulatory body for professional ‎accountants in British Columbia under the BC Chartered Professional Accountants Act (the “CPA Act”).”

✅ CGPA Canada’s Response:

We agree that CGPA Canada does not regulate the “CPA” designation—nor does it purport to. However, this is entirely beside the point. CGPA Canada is an independent, federally incorporated professional body, authorized under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act to:

• Certify, license, and regulate its own members (e.g., CGPA, FCTP, FCPFA).

• Offer accounting, audit, review, taxation, and financial reporting qualifications in compliance with Canadian federal law and globally accepted standards, including IFRS, ISAs, IPSAS, and IFAC’s International Education Standards (IES 8).

CPABC’s jurisdiction under the CPA Act applies exclusively to individuals using the “CPA” designation, and not to other federally chartered professional bodies such as CGPA Canada or its members, who do not use or rely on the “CPA” designation or CPA Canada standards.

🔷 CPABC Claim:

“CPABC has exclusive authority to regulate professional accountants in BC, in accordance with its statutory mandate to protect the public interest.”

✅ CGPA Canada’s Response:

This is demonstrably false and legally incorrect.

CPABC has exclusive authority to regulate Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) in British Columbia—not all professional accountants. There is no provincial or federal statute that grants CPABC a monopoly over:

• The practice of accounting, auditing, or tax services.

• The right to establish or recognize alternative professional accounting credentials.

In fact, Section 3 of the CPA Act (BC) explicitly limits CPABC’s authority to those persons who are members of CPABC and use the “CPA” title. Sections 46 and 47 of the CPA Act further acknowledge that individuals or bodies acting under the authority of other Acts—such as federal legislation—are not subject to CPABC’s control.

CGPA Canada and its members operate lawfully under federal authority and other applicable statutes, including:

• The Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.

• The Income Tax Act (authorization to issue T2202 tax receipts).

• The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BC).

• The Private Training Act (BC), under which CGPA Canada holds a recognized exemption.

🔷 CPABC Claim:

“The CPA Act prohibits CGPA Canada members from providing… [audit, assurance, or certification] services in accordance with CPA Canada standards unless they are members of CPABC.”

✅ CGPA Canada’s Response:

This is a deliberate misstatement of the law.

CGPA Canada does not train or license its members under CPA Canada standards, and therefore does not purport to issue reports in accordance with CPA Canada standards. Our members are licensed and certified to conduct:

• Audit, review, and compilation engagements under international standards (e.g., ISA, IFRS, IPSAS).

• Taxation, accounting, and financial consulting services in line with federal and international frameworks.

What the CPA Act prohibits is misleading the public by claiming to use “CPA Canada” standards without being properly licensed through CPABC—a position with which we agree and strictly comply.

CGPA Canada trains its members to express opinions and conduct engagements under internationally accepted standards, and never claims to use CPA Canada’s intellectual property.

✅ Conclusion:

CPABC’s statement is a clear attempt to:

• Misrepresent the law.

• Monopolize the accounting profession in BC.

• Suppress lawful competition from federally incorporated professional bodies.

CGPA Canada continues to operate in full compliance with federal law and applicable provincial regulations, and its members are fully authorized to practise as Chartered Practising Accountants, auditors, and tax professionals under the CGPA Canada framework.

Our designations and regulatory structure are lawful, legitimate, and globally recognized.

We strongly caution CPABC against issuing further false, misleading, and anti-competitive statements, and we reserve all legal rights and remedies under the Competition Act, Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, and federal incorporation law.

Response to CPABC’s Statement Regarding Use of Professional Designations by CGPA Canada Members

We acknowledge the statement by CPABC dated February 25, 2025, that the Chartered Professional Accountants Act (the “CPA Act”) restricts the use of certain professional designations, including “professional accountant” and “Chartered Professional Accountant,” exclusively to members of CPABC in British Columbia.

CGPA Canada’s Position:

1. Recognition of Designation Rights:CGPA Canada respects the statutory protections granted to CPABC members regarding the use of the “CPA” designation and related titles under the CPA Act. CGPA Canada members do not claim or use the protected “CPA” or “professional accountant” designations reserved exclusively by CPABC legislation.

2. Authorized Use of the Term “Accountant”:It is accurate that CGPA Canada members may lawfully describe themselves as “accountants.” The term “accountant” is a generic professional description, not subject to exclusive statutory protection by CPABC, and is widely used by accounting professionals regulated under various frameworks, including CGPA Canada.

3. Distinct and Legally Recognized Professional Titles:CGPA Canada grants its members professional designations such as “Chartered Global Practising Accountant” (CGPA), Fellow Chartered Tax Practitioner (FCTP), and Fellow Chartered Public Finance Accountant (FCPFA), which are distinct and recognized under federal law and international accounting standards. These designations are fully authorized and regulated under CGPA Canada’s federally incorporated framework.

4. Independent Regulatory Authority:CGPA Canada operates as an independent, federally incorporated professional accounting body under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, authorized to certify, license, and regulate its members’ professional practice in Canada and internationally. CGPA Canada members provide audit, review, compilation, taxation, and consulting services under global standards such as IFRS, ISAs, IPSAS, and IFAC education standards.

5. No Requirement for CPABC Membership:CGPA Canada members are fully authorized to practise accounting and related professional services in British Columbia without requiring membership or licensure through CPABC, as confirmed by the scope and limits of the CPA Act (sections 3, 46, and 47). The Act does not grant CPABC jurisdiction to regulate or restrict CGPA Canada’s distinct designations or regulated activities.

   
   

   Summary: CPABC VS CGPA Canada

CGPA Canada and its members fully respect the statutory restrictions on CPABC-protected designations. However, CGPA Canada members have their own legally protected designations and professional rights to practise accounting and related services independently and in compliance with federal and provincial law.

We encourage CPABC to fully respect, recognize the legitimate and complementary role that CGPA Canada and its members play within the public finance, taxation and accounting profession in British Columbia, promoting professional diversity and choice for the benefit of the public and Canadian businesses.

Subject: Formal Response to CPABC’s Misleading and Legally Incorrect Public Statements dated February 25, 2025 Regarding CGPA Canada

We write on behalf of CGPA Canada to address the recent public notice issued by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) containing materially false, misleading, and legally inaccurate claims regarding CGPA Canada’s status, authority, and the professional rights of its members.

1. Accreditation and Legal Recognition of CGPA Canada

CGPA Canada is a federally incorporated, independent professional accounting body under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act—the very same federal statute under which CPA Canada is incorporated.

We hold formal recognition and authorizations from several key authorities:

• Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC): Designated educational institution status.

• Income Tax Act: Authorized issuer of T2202 tuition tax receipts.

• British Columbia Private Training Act: Granted exemption, allowing CGPA Canada to legally offer professional designation-based programs without private career training institution registration.

• Adherence to internationally recognized standards: Including IFRS, IAS, IPSAS, ISAs, and IFAC’s International Education Standard 8 (IES 8).

Our membership—comprising professionals bearing the CGPA, FCTP, and FCPFA designations—are authorized to provide a broad spectrum of accounting, audit, taxation, and consulting services across Canada and internationally, under our own independent regulatory framework fully compliant with applicable laws.

2. Rebuttal to CPABC’s Misleading Claims

CPABC’s public notice asserts:

“CGPA Canada is not affiliated with, related to, or endorsed by CPABC or CPA Canada; and CGPA Canada’s members are not authorized to practise or hold themselves out as professional accountants in BC unless also members in good standing of CPABC.”

Our response:

• CGPA Canada does not claim affiliation with CPABC or CPA Canada, nor is such affiliation required or legally mandated. CPABC has no legal authority or power to “endorse” other professional bodies.

• Under Section 3 of the BC Chartered Professional Accountants Act (“CPA Act”), CPABC’s jurisdiction is limited exclusively to regulating the “CPA” designation and those using it. This does not extend to CGPA Canada or its members.

• CGPA Canada members operate lawfully under a distinct and federally authorized regulatory framework, abiding by Canadian federal law and international standards.

• The CPA Act contains no provisions that prohibit CGPA Canada members from practising accounting, audit, taxation, or advisory services under their own designations.

CGPA Canada members do not use or claim the “CPA” title or CPA Canada standards, instead holding their own nationally and internationally recognized credentials.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

• CPABC’s claim to exclusive authority over all professional accountants in BC is legally incorrect. Its mandate covers only those individuals holding the CPA designation.

• Sections 46 and 47 of the CPA Act explicitly recognize persons acting under other Acts are outside CPABC’s regulatory scope.

• CGPA Canada complies fully with applicable federal and provincial laws, including the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, Income Tax Act, Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BC), and the Private Training Act (BC).

  
  

4. False and Defamatory Statements by CPABC

CPABC’s further assertions—that CGPA Canada:

• Is not a professional accountancy body,

• Does not offer licensure or certification,

• Has not contributed to Canadian accounting standards—

are all factually false and defamatory.

CGPA Canada:

• Maintains a comprehensive licensing, disciplinary, and continuing professional development framework.

• Issues professional designations recognized globally.

• Has contributed substantively to the evolution of accounting and public finance standards in Canada through its affiliated institutes (CPFA Canada, CTP Canada).

  
  

5. Conclusion and Reservation of Rights

CPABC’s public notice:

• Misrepresents the law.

• Attempts to monopolize the profession.

• Engages in anti-competitive and misleading conduct.

CGPA Canada demands CPABC immediately cease issuing such deceptive statements, which confuse the public and suppress fair competition.

We reserve all rights to seek remedies under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BC), Competition Act (Canada), and other applicable legislation.

6. Invitation for Constructive Dialogue

CGPA Canada remains committed to transparency, professional excellence, and serving the public interest. We welcome respectful and open dialogue with CPABC based on mutual recognition of each body’s legal rights and roles.

CGPA Canada’s message is clear: Our members are fully authorized, legally recognized, and professionally competent accounting practitioners in British Columbia and throughout Canada, operating under a lawful and internationally respected framework.

We urge CPABC to respect these facts and desist from misleading the public or undermining CGPA Canada’s legitimate role in the profession.

The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) is a provincial regulatory body tasked with governing its own members—not the entire accounting profession in British Columbia. The CPABC does not possess legislative or constitutional authority to regulate or restrict CGPA Canada professionals outside its membership who are lawfully practising under other valid designations.

1. About CGPA Canada

Chartered Global Practising Accountants of Canada (CGPA Canada) is the premier professional association for Chartered Practising Accountants, students, and candidates in Canada. Established as a federally incorporated not-for-profit entity, CGPA Canada operates under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, ensuring a robust and internationally recognized framework for the profession.

Our organization provides educational pathways, professional development, and certification programs that equip members with the advanced skills necessary to thrive in the dynamic global marketplace. CGPA Canada is dedicated to advancing the practice of accounting through adherence to high ethical standards, global best practices, and a focus on emerging areas such as technology, sustainability, and international taxation.

We hold accreditation from key educational and regulatory authorities, including:

• Federal Incorporation under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (same as CPA Canada).

• Recognition by the Canadian Ministry of Employment and Social Development (ESDC) as an educational institution.

• Authorization to issue T2202 tuition tax receipts under the Income Tax Act.

• A provincial exemption under BC’s Private Training Act, enabling us to offer designation-based professional programs.

• Adherence to global standards such as IFRS, IAS, IPSAS, ISAs, and IFAC IES 8.

CGPA Canada members include professionals holding the CGPA, FCTP, and FCPFAs designations, who are authorized to practice accounting, assurance, taxation, and consulting services in Canada and globally.

2. Why Choose CGPA Canada?

The Chartered Global Practising Accountant (CGPA) designation offers more than just a credential—it represents a global passport to professional success, enabling our members to thrive in a variety of sectors including finance, consulting, public sector accounting, and entrepreneurship.

Our members benefit from:

• Global Recognition: CGPAs are leaders in finance, consulting, public sector accounting, and entrepreneurship, working across national and international borders.

• A Trusted Professional Community: CGPA Canada members are highly valued in the areas of taxation, public finance, and accountancy. They serve as trusted advisors in both the public and private sectors.

• Accreditation and Reach: Federally incorporated and recognized by Canada’s educational authorities, CGPA Canada empowers members to provide audit, review, compilation, and taxation services, both across Canada and globally. Our members have access to a worldwide network of opportunities.

The CGPA designation equips professionals to meet the challenges of today’s fast-evolving global financial landscape, ensuring they are prepared to offer high-quality, globally aligned services.

3. Legal Status and Authority of CGPA Canada

CGPA Canada is a federally incorporated professional body with full legal authority to certify and regulate accountants nationally and globally. Our credentials include:

• Federal incorporation (2016) under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (Same as CPA Canada)

• Recognition by ESDC as a graduate-level educational institution (File # 7009/13666)

• Authorization to issue T2202 tuition tax receipts under Income Tax Act, s. 118.5(1)(a)(ii)

• Exemption under BC’s Private Training Act as a designation-based body

• Adherence to international standards: IFRS, IAS, IPSAS, ISAs, and IFAC IES 8

Our members—including CGPAs, FCTPs, and FCPFAs—lawfully practise accounting, assurance, taxation, and consulting under CGPA Canada’s regulatory framework.

4. Scope of Training and the CGPA Designation

The Chartered Global Practising Accountant (CGPA) designation is uniquely structured for professionals engaged in both Canadian and international financial environments. It is backed by our rigorous Post-Designation Practising Accounting (PDPA) program, which prepares members to meet global regulatory and market expectations. The PDPA curriculum includes:

• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS, IAS, IPSAS)

• Global Taxation Compliance, including OECD-aligned frameworks and cross-border tax planning

• Emerging Technologies, such as AI-based auditing, blockchain systems, and digital finance tools

• ESG and Sustainability Reporting, integrating global disclosure and compliance frameworks

Graduates of the PDPA program are eligible to register as Public Practising Accounting Firms (PPAFs) under CGPA Canada's licensing framework, thereby lawfully offering services in audit, review, compilation, and taxation across Canada and globally.

5. Proper Interpretation of the CPA Act (BC)

The CPABC notice misinterprets the Chartered Professional Accountants Act (BC) (“CPA Act”) and overstates CPABC’s jurisdiction. A plain and purposive reading confirms that CGPA Canada and its members are fully authorized to provide accounting, assurance, and taxation services in British Columbia—so long as they do not misrepresent themselves as CPAs or use standards issued by CPA Canada.

Section 46 – Persons Not Affected

“Subject to section 47, this Act does not affect the right of a person who is not a member to practise as an accountant or auditor in British Columbia.”

✅ This section clearly affirms that non-CPABC members—including CGPAs—retain the lawful right to practise as accountants or auditors, provided they do not claim CPA status or use CPA-branded standards.

Section 47 – Professional Accounting Services

This section does not prohibit assurance or taxation services performed under internationally recognized standards. Subsections (1)(a)–(c) explicitly permit professional services under alternative frameworks, including those of CGPA Canada:

• (a) Performing audits and issuing reports in accordance with CGPA Canada standards

• (b) Conducting assurance engagements and issuing reports under CGPA’s framework

• (c) Certifying or opining on financial information per CGPA’s procedures

✅ These provisions confirm CGPA Canada’s recognized authority to regulate and support assurance and reporting functions, so long as CPABC branding is not misused.

Section 47(f) – Statutory Exemption

“This Act does not apply to a person acting pursuant to the authority of any other Act.”

✅ CGPA Canada qualifies for this exemption based on:

• Federal jurisdiction under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act (same as CPA Canada)

• Provincial recognition under BC’s Private Training Act, which exempts designation-based professional programs

Together, these provisions provide CGPA Canada with lawful and independent authority to license, regulate, and support its public practitioners in full alignment with global standards.

6. Jurisdictional Limits of CPABC

The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) is a provincial regulatory body tasked with governing its own members—not the entire accounting profession in British Columbia. The CPABC does not possess legislative or constitutional authority to regulate or restrict professionals outside its membership who are lawfully practising under other valid designations.

✅ Limited Scope: CPABC's authority under the CPA Act is confined to regulating individuals who hold CPA membership. It does not extend to those who practise accounting under separate, legally recognized standards such as those issued by CGPA Canada.

✅ No Exclusive Monopoly: The CPA Act (BC) does not confer a monopoly on CPABC for all accounting, assurance, or taxation services. It specifically preserves the right of other professionals to practise, as long as they do not misrepresent themselves as CPAs.

✅ Other Statutory and Common Law Regimes Apply: Professionals acting under federal authority, international standards, or recognized educational credentials (such as those offered by CGPA Canada) are expressly protected by the CPA Act’s own statutory exceptions under Section 47(f).

✅ CPABC Cannot Override National or International Rights: Any attempt by CPABC to unilaterally define the boundaries of professional practice or to restrict lawful services offered by CGPA Canada members would constitute an overreach beyond its statutory mandate and a violation of well-established principles of administrative law.

In summary, CPABC does not have universal jurisdiction over all accounting services in British Columbia. Its role is limited to regulating CPA members and does not extend to professionals acting under alternative regulatory and legal authority. The CPA Act does not establish exclusivity, nor does it prohibit other legally constituted designations from operating independently. CPABC’s public notice therefore exceeds its statutory remit and wrongly implies a monopoly over accounting services in BC.

7. CGPA Canada’s Global Mandate and Educational Standards

CGPA Canada is a nationally and internationally recognized professional body, committed to excellence in accounting education, public protection, and adherence to globally accepted standards. Our regulatory framework is designed to ensure that CGPAs meet or exceed the professional and ethical benchmarks expected in Canada and across leading international jurisdictions.

✅ International Standards: The CGPA designation emphasizes full compliance with standards issued by:

• International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

• International Accounting Standards (IAS)

• International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)

• International Standards on Auditing (ISAs)

• International Education Standards (IES 8) under the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)

✅ Post-Designation Practising Accounting (PDPA) Program: Our advanced PDPA program equips CGPAs with in-depth training in:

• International financial reporting

• Cross-border tax compliance and treaties

• Emerging technologies (AI audits, blockchain, digital finance)

• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards

• Risk, ethics, and global financial transparency

  
  

✅ Global Recognition and Mobility: CGPA Canada’s framework is aligned with international equivalency standards, ensuring recognition in over 168 jurisdictions, including the EU, UK, Australia, India, South Korea, Brazil, Chile, and Canada.

✅ Compliance with Canadian Expectations: While our designation is global, our education and practice standards are fully aligned with Canadian accounting, audit, and taxation frameworks. CGPAs are well equipped to serve in Canadian public and private sectors, and meet requirements for regulatory compliance, CRA filings, and client assurance needs.

In sum, CGPA Canada ensures that its members operate with the highest global competencies, and are qualified to serve both domestic and international clients, while respecting all applicable Canadian laws and standards.

8. Licensing and Practice Standards

CGPA Canada maintains a robust and internationally benchmarked Public Practice Licensing Framework to ensure that all Chartered Global Practising Accountants (CGPAs) operate with integrity, competence, and in full compliance with legal and professional standards.

✅ Categories of Licensure: CGPA Canada licenses Public Practising Accounting Firms (PPAFs) and individual members under clearly defined categories, including:

• Audit – in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and jurisdictional laws

• Review Engagements – using globally accepted assurance standards

• Compilation Engagements – compliant with international compilation frameworks

• Tax Services – aligned with CRA requirements and international tax principles

• Advisory and Consulting – in areas such as ESG, IFRS implementation, and digital finance

✅ Education and Qualification: Licensure is contingent on completion of the Post-Designation Practising Accounting (PDPA) program, which includes:

• IFRS, IPSAS, IAS, ISAs

• Taxation (domestic and international)

• ESG and sustainability reporting

• AI, blockchain, and digital audit tools

• Professional ethics and regulatory risk management

✅ Continuing Professional Development (CPD): CGPAs must adhere to strict CPD requirements, consistent with IFAC IES 8, ensuring up-to-date knowledge and competence across all practice areas.

✅ Ethical Oversight: All members and firms are subject to the CGPA Canada Code of Professional Conduct, modeled on international ethical guidelines and incorporating Canadian legal norms.

✅ Practice Review and Discipline: CGPA Canada enforces compliance through a structured Practice Review Program, investigation protocols, and independent disciplinary procedures, mirroring best practices from international and provincial regulators.

✅ Compliance with Canadian Laws: All CGPA services are delivered in accordance with applicable federal and provincial laws, without infringing upon any reserved CPA titles or trademarks.

CGPA Canada’s licensing framework ensures that the public, employers, and regulators can trust the competence, ethics, and legality of services delivered by our members.

9. Misrepresentation, Overreach, and Legal Risk

The February 25, 2025 CPABC public notice contains multiple inaccuracies and unfounded assertions that misrepresent the legal status and practice rights of CGPA Canada and its members. These mischaracterizations present serious legal and reputational risks, not only to CGPA members but also to CPABC and affiliated bodies.

❌ Omission of CGPA Canada’s Legal Standing

The notice fails to acknowledge that CGPA Canada is:

• Federally incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act, with the same federal status as CPA Canada

• Authorized to operate in British Columbia under the Private Training Act and the Societies Act

• Fully aligned with international standards (IFRS, IAASB, IFAC, IES 8)

This omission creates a misleading impression of exclusivity and regulatory monopoly that does not exist under law.

❌ False Implication of Exclusive Rights

The notice falsely suggests that only CPAs may lawfully provide accounting, assurance, or taxation services in British Columbia. In reality:

• Section 46 of the CPA Act (BC) affirms the right of non-CPAs to practise accounting

• Section 47(f) exempts persons acting under the authority of other Acts, which includes CGPA Canada

• There is no legislative monopoly granted to CPABC over public accounting, except regarding CPA title usage and services delivered under CPA Canada standards

❌ Misleading and Anti-Competitive Messaging

By discouraging businesses and the public from engaging CGPA practitioners, the CPABC notice:

• Impedes fair competition in the accounting profession

• Interferes with contractual and economic relations between CGPA members and their clients

• Damages reputations through publication of misleading and prejudicial statements

These actions constitute potential torts under Canadian law:

• Injurious Falsehood

• Tortious Interference with Economic Relations

• Defamation by Innuendo

❌ Potential Breaches of Fundamental Rights

The notice may also infringe upon Charter-protected freedoms, including:

• Section 2(d) – Freedom of association

• Section 6(2)(b) – Mobility rights to pursue employment or self-employment in any province

• Section 15(1) – Equality under the law, free from institutional discrimination

Furthermore, section 3 of the Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination by federally regulated organizations on the basis of occupation or association—grounds arguably engaged by CPABC’s conduct.

In sum, the CPABC public notice represents a clear case of regulatory overreach and unlawful interference. It not only violates the rights of CGPA members but also undermines the broader principles of professional diversity, legal pluralism, and economic fairness.

10. Anti-Competitive Conduct

CGPA Canada is deeply concerned that the CPABC’s February 25, 2025 public notice reflects anti-competitive intent and an effort to discourage legitimate alternatives to the CPA designation. Rather than fostering an open and pluralistic accounting environment, the notice appears designed to mislead stakeholders and marginalize professionals operating under other lawful, internationally recognized frameworks.

Unlike the CPA framework, CGPA Canada offers:

• ✅ A portable national designation without the burden of multiple provincial membership fees

• ✅ A cost-effective, streamlined licensing model accessible to a broad range of professionals

• ✅ A technology-integrated and ESG-focused curriculum aligned with future-ready competencies

• ✅ Inclusive pathways for internationally trained and immigrant accountants, supporting Canada's diversity goals

By contrast, the CPA Canada model—fragmented across provinces and burdened with high fees and complex mobility restrictions—serves as a barrier to entry and innovation. These structural issues:

• Impair accessibility for underrepresented communities

• Stifle professional diversity and competition

• Reduce the public’s options for qualified accounting services

CPABC’s attempt to discredit CGPA Canada and its members appears designed to preserve a monopoly, contrary to the principles of open market competition, professional pluralism, and public interest.

CGPA Canada urges CPABC to align with Canadian competition laws, regulatory fairness, and modern professional realities—supporting a diverse, competitive, and inclusive accounting ecosystem for the benefit of all Canadians.

11. Formal Demands

In light of the legal misstatements, regulatory overreach, and reputational harm arising from the CPABC’s February 25, 2025 public notice, CGPA Canada formally demands that CPABC:

• 🔹 Publicly retract the February 25, 2025 notice in full

• 🔹 Issue a written apology acknowledging the legal and factual inaccuracies contained therein

• 🔹 Formally recognize CGPA Canada’s lawful authority to regulate, license, and support its members in the provision of accounting, assurance, and tax services

• 🔹 Immediately cease and desist from making any further misleading, defamatory, or obstructive statements concerning CGPA Canada or its members

Failure to comply with these demands within ten (10) business days of this communication will compel CGPA Canada to pursue the following actions without further notice:

• ⚖️ Initiate legal proceedings for defamation, injurious falsehood, and tortious interference with economic relations

• 📢 File a formal complaint with the Competition Bureau of Canada for anti-competitive conduct

• 🏛️ Submit complaints to the British Columbia Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, etc.

• 👥 File a human rights complaint and initiate outreach to the BC Office of the Ombudsperson, professional regulators, and relevant stakeholders across Canada

CGPA Canada is committed to protecting the rights, reputation, and lawful operations of its members and will not hesitate to take all necessary legal and regulatory steps to address this matter.

12. Commitment to Pluralism and Public Protection

CGPA Canada believes that the strength of the Canadian professional landscape lies in its diversity, inclusivity, and regulatory pluralism. Just as we have seen in fields such as law, medicine, and engineering, the accounting profession should be no different. Regulatory diversity provides important checks and balances, encourages competition, and ensures that public interest is prioritized over exclusive monopolies.

In this spirit, CGPA Canada is dedicated to:

• Regulatory Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of ethics, accountability, and transparency in all professional matters.

• Public Protection: Safeguarding the interests of the Canadian public by ensuring that CGPA Canada members provide services that adhere to internationally recognized standards, and by continuously engaging in practices that promote public trust and professional competence.

• Global Standards Alignment: Aligning with best-in-class regulatory frameworks and ensuring that CGPA Canada members’ qualifications, conduct, and services are consistent with global standards such as IFRS, IAS, IPSAS, and IFAC IES 8.

• Fair Competition: Ensuring that no single professional body dominates the field and that innovation, accessibility, and inclusivity remain key pillars of the accounting profession in Canada. We are committed to supporting innovation, especially in emerging areas like ESG, sustainability, and digital transformation.

CGPA Canada remains committed to fostering an open, diverse, and competitive professional environment—one that empowers qualified individuals and firms to contribute meaningfully to Canada’s economy and the broader global business landscape.

We are proud to support Chartered Global Practising Accountants (CGPAs) who serve communities and clients across Canada and in more than 168 jurisdictions worldwide, upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and legal authority.