– CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 109,000 members across every sector and region.
CANADA – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) congratulates the new members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, as well as those assuming new roles, and look forward to working with the new ministers on many of the issues affecting Canada’s 2.5 million entrepreneurs.
CFIB is pleased to see François-Philippe Champagne become the new Minister of International Trade. “Mr. Champagne has distinguished himself as a strong performer in his role as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Finance,” said Dan Kelly, president of CFIB. “We are keen to continue working with him to ensure small firms remain a priority as Canada implements and negotiates trade agreements.”
CFIB is also pleased to see Chrystia Freeland take on added responsibilities in her new role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. “CFIB has been pleased to support the CETA agreement with Europe and commends Minister Freeland on her work on making this happen,” Kelly added.
CFIB will work with the new ministers on matters crucial to small business, including a reduction to the small business corporate tax rate to nine per cent, extending the Small Business Job Credit beyond 2016 or implementing a permanently lower EI rate for small employers, the proposed Employment Insurance rebate for hiring youth, and an exemption of increases to the CPP rate for the self-employed, who already pay double the rate of CPP of other Canadians.
“We are also looking forward to working closely with Patty Hadju, the new Minister of Labour, and Ahmed Hussen, the new Minister of Immigration and hope to quickly implement the recommendations of the HUMA committee regarding Temporary Foreign Workers,” said Mr. Kelly. CFIB has proposed the TFWP be replaced with a better solution to address permanent labour shortages – an Introduction to Canada Visa which would be a first step toward permanent residency.
CFIB wants to acknowledge Minister John McCallum and Stéphane Dion for their service to the country. “We have worked with Mr. McCallum and Mr. Dion for a number of years, even previous to this current government and would like to wish them both well on their future roles,” said Mr. Kelly.
