National association of independent entrepreneurs suggest priorities and measures for First Ministers agenda
Restoring economic stability and investor confidence has to take top priority for the country’s premiers and prime minister, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
In a letter issued ahead of today’s meeting of First Ministers, the CFIB gave a list of priorities and measures that it felt should be discussed to address recent concerns surrounding pipeline protests, rail blockades, and the global coronavirus pandemic.
“We need to see serious leadership come out of tomorrow's meeting to address these issues and help small business owners weather these difficult times,” the federation said in a statement.
One item on the wish list was a “clear and predictable pathways for the approval of large natural resource infrastructure projects.” Citing a recent survey of its members, the CFIB said 90% of small-business owners believe the health of Canada’s oil and gas sector is important for the whole country, while another 70% agree the country is among the most responsible in the world when it comes to natural resource development.
The letter also urged measures to offset the impact of planned CPP/QPP increases, minimum wage hikes, and other tax increases impacting small employers.
Another priority was interprovincial trade, which the CFIB said should be made a standing item on meetings held by the First Ministers and Council of the Federation moving forward. In particular, they called for more work on dismantling trade barriers between jurisdictions, further recommending that the first ministers report on their progress every year.
“We are pleased with the federal government’s recent announcement of a $1 billion response fund to help combat the impacts of COVID-19,” the CFIB said, adding that it supports measures such as waiving the EI waiting period for workers, bolstering the workshare program for employers faced with a downturn, and ensuring that credit is readily available for struggling businesses.
It also called for additional measures such as:
- Providing relief from penalties and interest for late remittances of GST/HST, workers’ compensation premiums, and other tax obligations;
- Putting a hold on planned increases to CPP/QPP;
- Pausing routine audits that are “stressful for small business owners”; and
- Continue providing assistance to small businesses facing temporary or even permanent shutdown.
“We trust the First Ministers to take decisive action to stabilize the economy and ensure small businesses can continue planning for the future,” said CFIB Executive Vice President Laura Jones.
