Latest news with #CFIB
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Trade war concerns Alberta small businesses heading into tourism season
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says 64 per cent of Canadians decided on their summer travel plans will stay in the country and only 17 per cent are going abroad. (Pexels/Gibrán Riojas) Many small businesses in Alberta are worried about the impact of the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war on their revenue, new data says. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released a poll Wednesday that found 44 per cent of small business owners in the province are worried about disruptions because of the ongoing dispute. 'There is still widespread uncertainty regarding the Canada-U.S. travel outlook, and that's worrying businesses in Alberta who rely on a regular influx of visitors during the summer season,' said Kayode Southwood, CFIB's senior policy analyst for Alberta, in a news release. The poll, conducted by CFIB with members of the Angus Reid forum, also found 30 per cent of Albertans cancelled their business travel plans to the U.S. and 37 per cent cancelled personal travel. For those who've finalized their summer travel plans, 64 per cent say they will travel within Canada, 43 per cent will stay in Alberta and 17 per cent are considering other international destinations. Just 16 per cent are traveling or considering traveling to the U.S. this summer, the CFIB said. The organization is looking to all three levels of government to reduce permit and licencing requirements and actively promote local businesses and travel options within Canada. 'As Albertans shift their travel plans away from the U.S., there's a unique opportunity to support small businesses in the province, and across Canada by keeping their loonies local,' Southwood said. 'Every time Canadians choose to shop at a local small business, 66 cents of every dollar stays in the local economy.'
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Nearly three in five small businesses worry the U.S.-Canada trade war could impact their summer tourism season Français
TORONTO, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - The summer tourism season is here, and 58% of small business owners are concerned the U.S.-Canada trade dispute will be disruptive, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). "For many businesses, summer is a make-or-break season. Tourism operators in particular count on summer revenues to get ahead of their debt and high costs," said Louis-Philippe Gauthier, CFIB's vice-president for the Atlantic region. This year, almost 40% of businesses expect summer tourism revenue to remain the same as last year, while about equal shares expect either higher or lower revenues. New data from CFIB found that 37% of those surveyed noticed changes in tourists' behaviour. Among those, 58% of businesses are seeing growing interest from Canadian travelers, and 37% noticed visitors choosing more affordable options for goods or services. Cross-border travel takes a hit amid trade tensions A public opinion poll conducted by CFIB with members of the Angus Reid Forum found that 10% of Canadians have canceled their business travel to the U.S and 22% cancelled their personal travel. Among those who have finalized their travel plans or have yet to do so, 56% plan to travel within their province, 51% elsewhere in Canada, and 21% elsewhere in the world other than the U.S. Only 11% are travelling or looking to travel to the U.S. this summer. "With more Canadians looking to stay within the country this summer, now is a great opportunity to explore our local businesses and communities and keep the loonies local. Every time Canadians choose to shop at a local small business, 66 cents of every dollar stays in the local economy," Gauthier added. To help the tourism industry, CFIB urges all three levels of government to reduce permit and licensing requirements while actively promoting buying local and travelling within and to Canada. "The tourism sector is one of the largest employers in Canada, and most tourism operators are small businesses," said Kalith Nanayakkara, CFIB's senior policy analyst for B.C. "Governments and Canadians have a significant role in strengthening our economy and supporting independent local businesses. We encourage people from coast to coast to get out and explore their communities, their provinces and their country this summer to create new memories and help give small businesses a much-needed boost." Methodology The Your Voice survey was conducted online, in English and French, from May 6 to June 2 and received 2,190 responses from Canadian business owners. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/- 2.09%, 19 times out of 20. The public opinion poll was conducted online, in English and French, by CFIB from June 6 to 9, with a representative sample of 1501 adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-2.53%, 19 times out of 20. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
CBC
06-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Groups begin lobbying N.S. government over potential booze sale changes
With the provincial government launching consultation on whether to expand sales points for alcohol in Nova Scotia, interested parties are not waiting for a phone call. Organizations on both sides of the issue have started issuing news releases and open letters to Finance Minister John Lohr, whose department is overseeing the process. Lohr announced last week that Infuse Public Relations and Crestview Strategy will collectively manage the public opinion polling of 1,500 random people and stakeholder engagement with 194 groups. The contract for the work is worth $300,000. A news release this week from the Atlantic division of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said 77 per cent of small businesses in Nova Scotia support allowing convenience stores and grocery stores to sell alcohol. "This moment is the government's chance to support local retailers at a time when over six in 10 are experiencing lower demand, and provide much-needed shelf space to local producers," Duncan Robertson, the federation's director of legislative affairs, said in the release. Small businesses supportive, doctors concerned The CFIB's recommendations include allowing the sale of beverages that do not exceed alcohol by volume of 7.1 per cent in convenience and grocery stores — similar to steps taken in Ontario — and opening those rules to all small businesses, not just large retailers. Nova Scotia already permits alcohol to be sold in some private wine and specialty stores, in on-site stores at breweries and wineries, and farmers' markets. Lohr also received an open letter this week from a group of 14 doctors who specialize in addiction medicine, urging the government not to expand alcohol sales because it would increase consumption and "worsen individual and societal harms." "Every day we care for patients and families suffering from alcohol use disorder and medical complications of alcohol use," the letter said. "Alcohol causes more than 500 deaths, 5,000 hospital admissions, and 35,000 emergency department visits in Nova Scotia each year, and creates more health care and social costs to our province than any other substance." The doctors went on to say that revenue earned through taxation on alcohol sales does not compensate for society-wide costs of health harms, violence and driving accidents attributable to alcohol. They wrote that alcohol is already widely available in Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation retail and agency stores. "It is crucial that the government keeps control of alcohol distribution to minimize further public costs and health harms," they said. Finance Department officials said 194 groups are included in stakeholder engagement so far. That includes 126 craft breweries, wineries and distillers, along with another 11 groups or agencies also in favour of opening things up, such as the Retail Council of Canada. Jim Cormier, the group's Atlantic director of government relations, said members have been looking at this issue particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. "They've been looking at any way to try and get more people to get away from online shopping, using their smartphones to shop, and get them to come out to go into bricks-and-mortar stores," he said in an interview. No winners or losers Cormier said there can be extended benefits for the local economy by getting people into retail stores where it's possible to cross-promote Nova Scotia craft beer, wine and spirits with other products, such as cheese, berries and glassware. "Obviously it would be more than just Nova Scotia products, but that's the pitch we're making," he said. Potential expansion of alcohol sales concerns N.S. doctors 2 days ago Duration 4:59 Council members are looking for things to be as open as possible so there are no winners or losers, said Cormier. "If you're in a rural community and there happens to be a hardware store and they think that they could make a case that they could sell beer and do so in a responsible manner and meet all the rules and regulations, why shouldn't they be allowed to at least apply to do that?" Dr. Kirstin Weerdenburg, a pediatric emergency physician and a trauma team leader at the IWK Health Centre, said it is vital that the government not make any changes without first speaking to the people responsible for caring for those most impacted by alcohol. Talk to caregivers During her 10 years working in Nova Scotia since moving from Ontario where she also practised medicine, Weerdenburg said she's seen an increase in the number of young people presenting to the emergency department with intoxication. Data needs to be reviewed under the current regulatory regime to understand what's happening before access is expanded, she said. "I do start to get more concerned nowadays, if kids have more access, what their futures will look like." Weerdenburg is also a member of the Nova Scotia Alcohol Policy Coalition, which recently wrote to the government outlining its concerns. The group is one of several dozen representing interests related to health care, intimate partner violence prevention, addictions and marginalized communities slated to be consulted. Although the stakeholder list does not include Nova Scotia Health, the IWK Health Centre or Public Health, a Finance Department spokesperson said the three agencies would be consulted as part of an internal engagement process for government departments.
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CFIB statement on the need for the 2025 budget Français
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - We're pleased to see talk in Ottawa about advancing a spring budget after all. Small businesses are waiting on word on at least five outstanding measures from the 2024 budget and Fall Economic Statement (FES). They include: The tax status of the $2.5 billion small business carbon rebate delivered in December (CRA says it is taxable until government introduces a change). Changes to and delivery of the $623 million small business carbon rebate for 2024/25 (the FES proposed a new formula and government is now sitting on the rebates). A legislative change to allow businesses to qualify for the earlier carbon rebate by filing their returns for those years before Dec. 31, 2024. A bump in the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) to $1.25 million backdated to June 25, 2024 (introduced but not passed, promised by Prime Minister Carney too). The fate of the new Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive (backdated to Jan. 1, 2025) to lower the inclusion rate to 33% on a lifetime maximum of $2 million in eligible capital gains. All of these measures are supposed to be in place today, but were delayed due to the filibuster, prorogation of Parliament and election. Only one is temporarily supported by CRA (the LCGE change). A budget would provide the window for government to introduce the legislation, which should all be ready to go from the last Parliament. Without action, small businesses filing their 2024 taxes in June are required to pay corporate income tax on their share of the $2.5 billion carbon rebate they've already received and spent. Then, CRA is suggesting 600,000 small business owners file an amendment to get the tax back when the legislation change is made. This makes no sense at all. Among the best things the federal government could do to address the massive economic and trade uncertainty facing SMEs is to provide them with certainty on these tax measures. They have all been promised, are ready to go and should be part of a 2025 budget this legislative session. - Dan Kelly, President, CFIB About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CFIB statement on the need for the 2025 budget
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - We're pleased to see talk in Ottawa about advancing a spring budget after all. Small businesses are waiting on word on at least five outstanding measures from the 2024 budget and Fall Economic Statement (FES). They include: The tax status of the $2.5 billion small business carbon rebate delivered in December (CRA says it is taxable until government introduces a change). Changes to and delivery of the $623 million small business carbon rebate for 2024/25 (the FES proposed a new formula and government is now sitting on the rebates). A legislative change to allow businesses to qualify for the earlier carbon rebate by filing their returns for those years before Dec. 31, 2024. A bump in the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) to $1.25 million backdated to June 25, 2024 (introduced but not passed, promised by Prime Minister Carney too). The fate of the new Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive (backdated to Jan. 1, 2025) to lower the inclusion rate to 33% on a lifetime maximum of $2 million in eligible capital gains. All of these measures are supposed to be in place today, but were delayed due to the filibuster, prorogation of Parliament and election. Only one is temporarily supported by CRA (the LCGE change). A budget would provide the window for government to introduce the legislation, which should all be ready to go from the last Parliament. Without action, small businesses filing their 2024 taxes in June are required to pay corporate income tax on their share of the $2.5 billion carbon rebate they've already received and spent. Then, CRA is suggesting 600,000 small business owners file an amendment to get the tax back when the legislation change is made. This makes no sense at all. Among the best things the federal government could do to address the massive economic and trade uncertainty facing SMEs is to provide them with certainty on these tax measures. They have all been promised, are ready to go and should be part of a 2025 budget this legislative session. - Dan Kelly, President, CFIB About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
