Congratulatory messages from CGA Parliamentarians
Mr. Massimo Pacetti (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, of which I have been a proud member since 1990, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
CGA-Canada has come a long way in 100 years. Today, it is the fastest growing professional accounting association in Canada. CGA-Canada has 68,000 members and students as well as affiliated associations in Bermuda, the Caribbean and Asia. CGAs work in more than 80 countries and look after the interests of businesses, governments and non-profits.
CGA-Canada has also advised the Parliament of Canada by providing input to important committees such as the Standing Committee on Finance, of which I am a member. These contributions have greatly helped to shape Canadian public policy.
Congratulations to CGA-Canada.
Mr. John Williams (Edmonton—St. Albert, CPC)
Mr. Speaker, as a fellow of the Certified General Accountants Association, I rise to recognize the association's centennial anniversary.
In 1908, John Leslie, the assistant comptroller of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and two fellow accountants, E.B. Manning and F.A. Cousins, formed the Canadian Accountants' Association.
Five years later on June 6, 1913, the association was federally incorporated as the General Accountants' Association. Today, known as the Certified General Accountants Association, it is the fastest growing accounting designation in Canada and has representation in over 80 countries around the world.
During its 100 years, the association has developed knowledge and professionalism for the accounting industry. By its work, it has created value for the private sector and credibility for the accounting and auditing profession.
When there is money to count and taxes to pay, there will always be a need for a Certified General Accountant, and by virtue of this House, we all know there will always be taxes to pay.
Mr. Serge Cardin (Sherbrooke, BQ)
Mr. Speaker, Certified General Accountants, or CGAs, are celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2008. For 100 years, the Certified General Accountants Association, of which I have been a member for 32 years now, has had the same goal: protecting the public and maintaining high standards of multidisciplinary professional practice and training.
For more than a century, CGAs have built a solid reputation of excellence across the country. The recent passage of Bill 46 in the Quebec National Assembly, granting full practice rights to CGAs, was very important since businesses and individuals can now call on CGAs and use their professional services in all of Quebec.
I invite all CGAs to come out and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the association as it searches for 100 CGAs who have made a difference.
Mr. Mike Allen (Tobique—Mactaquac, CPC)
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada.
I have been a member of this association since 1987. The association is known throughout Canada and the world for offering professional development to its members and students as well as for advancing the accounting profession.
CGAs are heralded for their excellent professional standards, as well as the integrity and ethics they provide all sectors of Canada's economy, including industry, commerce and government, both as employees and as practitioners.
CGA-Canada representatives play leading roles in developing solutions to important domestic and international issues, including productivity, sustainability and trade, among others.
I am very proud to hold a CGA designation. I know all my colleagues in the House will join me in congratulating CGA-Canada on achieving this very important milestone.
Ms. Yasmin Ratansi (Don Valley East, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada.
CGA Canada represents 68,000 professionals and students and is one of the three accounting designations recognized equally by provincial and territorial statute in Canada.
It is, therefore, perplexing why the Conservative government recently posted a notice of vacancy for the important position of Comptroller General of Canada stating a preference for the single designation of chartered accountant. This implies a bias against not only CGA members, but certified management accountants as well.
As an equal opportunity employer, I would like to know why the Conservatives are denying thousands of professional accountants fair access to opportunities in the federal public service.
Hon. W. David Angus, Senator, CPC
Honourable Senators, I wish to draw to your attention and afford special recognition to the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, which this month commenced a series of nationwide celebrations marking its centenary. The CGA association was founded in Montreal in 1908 by Mr. John Leslie, assistant comptroller of the Canadian Pacific Railway, to help and support accountants to enhance their professional skills. This new organization soon proved its worth and achieved considerable popularity. As a result, the association sought and was incorporated by a special act of Parliament.
This self-regulating professional association is today the fastest growing accounting designation in Canada. It represents an estimated 68,000 Certified General Accountants and students, in Canada and, as well, in Bermuda, the nations of the Caribbean, the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong.
CGA-Canada is renowned for the expert training and professional development it provides to its members and its students. It plays a valuable role for Canadian businesses through strategic counsel and financial leadership in all sectors of the economy. The CGA association representatives appear on a regular basis before committees of the House of Commons and the Senate, and provide much appreciated assistance in the Parliament's legislative process.
Honourable Senators, I know from personal experience that the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce has benefited frequently from expert opinions brought to it by the CGA association on bills and special studies before the committee.
Honourable Senators, I suspect most of you are aware of the restrictions that have long reserved certain public audit functions to chartered accountants, or CAs, to the exclusion of CGAs. This remains a sore point. I commend honourable senators to the report of the Competition Bureau, which appears to validate the CGA position on public-practice rights. I believe the report acknowledges that regulations or other barriers that impede free access to certain professions such as public accounting, including certain audit functions, are unnecessary and tend to stifle competition and restrict productivity in Canada.
Honourable Senators, in honour of its 100th anniversary, CGA-Canada will be selecting, during the course of the year, 100 CGAs who have made a difference to the profession and the communities in which they live. The recipients will be honoured and recognized for their contributions.
Congratulations to the CGA Canada on achieving this impressive milestone and good luck in all their endeavours going forward.
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