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Mandate – CFIB’s member publication

March 7, 2012

Mandate is CFIB’s member publication where small business newsletters, surveys and results are available

245 - Message to members

November 30, 2011

As CFIB's 40th Anniversary comes to a close, I've been reflecting on what the organization that small business created forty years ago with John Bulloch's leadership has meant to me. When I applied for the job eight years ago, I had no idea that I was the daughter, granddaughter and niece of CFIB members. What a legacy! My mother told me that "CFIB is a great organization. It gave my business a voice."

244 - Pension Tension campaign launched

September 28, 2011

In June 2012, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) will undergo a major review. Seven provinces, the unions as well as the official opposition are pushing for a CPP hike in one form or another. Even the federal government’s 2011 budget leaves the door open to a potential hike in this job-killing payroll tax.

243 - CFIB is 40. Let’s celebrate!

June 2, 2011

What a difference 40 years makes! Before CFIB, small- and medium-sized businesses were a mere afterthought in the minds of political leaders, government bureaucrats, bankers, educators, journalists and others. Now, in 2011, the entrepreneurial sector is considered a priority by decision makers, having grown to represent close to half of the Canadian economy.

242 - Seeing red!

March 3, 2011

We've heard you loud and clear - the burden of government red tape is too heavy. There's still more work to do, but we're getting results. Find out about the success of CFIB's second annual Red Tape Awareness Week in this edition of Mandate.

241 - Message to members

December 1, 2010

I love the holidays. It's an opportunity to look back on the past, celebrate the present, and most importantly, look forward to the future. That's our goal with this edition of Mandate: To help you prepare for the New Year. You'll find important updates on tax changes, like Employment Insurance, and other issues that will affect your business in the coming year.

240 - EI rates set to increase 35 per cent

September 1, 2010

Starting in 2011, EI premiums for both employers and employees will increase by their maximum legal amount each year for four years, totaling a 35% increase by 2015. The government claims this is needed to pay for the additional costs associated with EI during 2009/2010. We disagree, since $57 billion has already been overpaid by employers and employees to the EI system over many years.

239 - Groundbreaking debit and credit Code introduced

June 2, 2010

In April, Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced a Code of Conduct for the credit and debit card industry. Based on a similar CFIB proposal, it consists of 10 principles that will increase transparency and fairness for small businesses that accept credit and debit cards. For example, the industry must provide 90 days notice of any fee increases and merchants can then opt out of contracts without penalty.

238 - Seeing RED?

March 10, 2010

This edition of Mandate Newsletter, Seeing Red?, focuses on one of your biggest irritants — Red Tape. Recently we released Prosperity Restricted by Red Tape, a research report based on questions we asked you about regulation. We found that collectively business owners spend over $30 billion a year to comply with rules and regulations from all levels of government. This is money not spent buying new equipment, expanding, or increasing employee wages.