CFIB encourages resiliency and innovation among independent business owners across Canada

Dear small business owners,

As we wrap up the year, I want to thank all of you for everything you do to support your community and our country. While 2022 marked the beginning of the long road to business recovery, there’s no doubt that this year also came with its own set of challenges.

CFIB is working hard to support businesses like yours now and into the new year as many small businesses are dealing with rising costs, hiring challenges and pandemic debt.

We’re asking the federal government to pause or cancel planned tax hikes and not make fresh changes to the EI system that may disincentivize workers from returning to work and calling on provinces to avoid plans to introduce or expand mandatory paid sick leave. And we are pushing for major changes to immigration policies and training supports to grow Canada’s labour force.

We’re also calling on the government to further extend the CEBA repayment deadline to the end of 2024, increase the forgivable portion to 50% and allow businesses that received the loan in good faith but were later deemed ineligible to keep the forgivable portion.

CFIB’s years of advocacy helped win ground on credit card merchant fees. I’m pleased to report that the Fall Economic Statement commits the federal government to lower credit card merchant fees for small businesses. CFIB is actively involved in these discussions with the government, banks and credit card companies as we advocate for fairness in the payments industry.

Beyond this year’s policy challenges, I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support businesses like yours. We helped thousands of businesses recoup money from a credit card class action settlement with Visa and Mastercard. If you haven’t applied, the deadline was extended to December 30, 2022. See if you’re eligible here.

I know the past few years have not been easy, but I continue to be incredibly impressed by the resiliency and innovation among independent business owners like you across Canada.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season, a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

Dan Kelly

President and CEO, CFIB

Dan Kelly serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). In this capacity, Dan is the lead spokesperson and advocate for the views of the Federation’s 110,000 small and medium-sized member businesses.