The Canadian Tax Observatory announces Heather Scoffield as founding CEO

September 11, 2025, Ottawa (ON) – The Board of Directors of the new Canadian Tax Observatory (the Observatory) today announced the appointment of its founding CEO, Heather Scoffield. Her plans for the research and policy centre are ambitious.

“Heather Scoffield has been helping Canadians make sense of the economy for almost three decades,” said Matthew Mendelsohn, Chair of the Board. “It is sometimes hard for non-specialists to understand the nuances and implications of tax policy. I can’t think of any Canadian better placed than Heather to help Canadians make sense of the evidence and understand the implications of tax policy discussions on their own lives and on the ability of the country to meet the moment we face.”

Leading the Canadian Tax Observatory is a logical progression in Scoffield’s career, which has been devoted to driving a vigorous, informed national conversation on economic policy. Previously, she was Ottawa bureau chief at The Canadian Press, the economics columnist and Ottawa bureau chief at the Toronto Star, and most recently senior vice-president of strategy at the Business Council of Canada.

“Our current tax system is overly complicated – the product of so much history and politics over time, with so many unintended consequences, and with rules that are no longer responding to the realities of today’s economy,” said Scoffield. “I aim to drive in-depth research that pulls apart the strands of our current system so that we can thoroughly evaluate where we are and engage Canadians in a broad discussion about how to support economic growth while improving the fairness of Canada’s tax system.”

Over the next six months, the Observatory will connect with researchers in Canada, build alliances globally and develop its research agenda.

“Tax reform is in the air,” said Scoffield. “Before we attack the foundational issues inhibiting growth and fairness in Canada’s tax system, we need to ensure policymakers putting together this fall’s budget hear about the need for an equitable and efficient tax system in response to global uncertainty, tariff fallout and slow growth.”

The Observatory is funded through philanthropic donors, including major contributions from Social Capital Partners and the Euphrosine Foundation.

About the Canadian Tax Observatory

Established in 2025, the Canadian Tax Observatory is an independent non-profit devoted to helping people and policymakers understand the tax system. Through research, public education and collaboration, its goal is to advance a tax system that promotes economic growth, shared prosperity and tax fairness. The founding board of directors includes Chair Matthew Mendelsohn, CEO of Social Capital Partners, Niamh Leonard, Executive Director of Euphrosine Foundation and Jennifer Robson, Professor of Political Management at Carleton University. For more information, please sign up for the organization’s eNews, follow them on LinkedIn or visit them at www.canadiantaxobservatory.ca.