Yes, a comprehensive review of Canada's tax system, objectives, laws and regulations is needed.  There has not been such a full and thorough review since Diefenbaker initiated a royal commission on tax reform headed by Ken Carter in 1962.

Whether by all-party select standing committee or a royal commission of outside experts with full public hearings and the necessary research resources to do the job, it is a job that needs doing.

My preference for a royal commission is because it should ensure less partisan politics and more relevant expertise and in any case the royal commission's report would then be reviewed by a parliamentary committee and its recommendations further debated and voted on in parliament before any changes are made.

It will take longer and cost more but the issues involved justify this ultimate approach IMO.

But I certainly agree that a serious and comprehensive review of our tax system rather than a hurried patch-work politically motivated approach is past due.