Proposed Inclusion of PPE in the Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction

(May 2026.) The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) is currently advocating for a key update to the federal tax code that would directly benefit skilled tradespeople and specialized apparel manufacturers.

The Proposal: The initiative seeks to expand the Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction to include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Currently, safety gear is not recognized as an "eligible tool" for tax deduction purposes.

Key Objectives:

Tax Equity: Recognize PPE as an essential work tool, allowing workers to deduct these costs (up to the current $1,000 limit).
Gender-Specific Safety: Address the higher costs and limited availability of PPE designed specifically for women in the trades.
Workforce Inclusion: Lower financial barriers for underrepresented groups entering the skilled trades by offsetting the cost of mandatory safety gear.

Current Status: The proposal was recently presented before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as part of the 2026 pre-budget consultations. It is currently under committee review for potential inclusion in upcoming federal budget updates.

This update is particularly relevant to our community of women in trades. Access to certified, well-fitting PPE is a safety necessity, yet it often comes with a higher price tag and fewer choices. By including PPE in the federal tool deduction, we are not only lowering financial barriers but also validating that women belong—and must be safely equipped—on every job site.

This recent milestone feels like a natural and hard-fought continuation of our own journey.

Exactly two years ago, on May 23, 2024, our founder, Dianne, had the privilege of being invited to Parliament Hill to be part of this very same debate.

Img: Dianne Finnigan with MPP Michelle Ferrier for Peterborough- Kawartha, MPP Anna Roberts -King Vaughan, MPP Rosemarie Falk -Battlefords—Lloydminster, and Tania Johnston - CEO of MCAC

Back then, she sat down with lawmakers to advocate for PPE for women, discussing legislative changes to help fund women-specific workwear, partnering with trade associations to provide subsidies, and raising awareness about the vital importance of properly fitting safety gear.

Seeing these discussions evolve into concrete proposals before the Standing Committee on Finance shows that our collective voice is being heard and that the groundwork laid years ago is paving the way for real structural change.

We will be keeping a close eye on this proposal's progress in Parliament and will share any updates with you right away. Let's keep pushing for this change together!

Watch the full video here:

https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/