Media Centre

Close to 300,000 jobs remain unfilled in Q1

Toronto/Montréal, May 16, 2013 – The percentage of unfilled private sector jobs remained steady at 2.5% in the first quarter of 2013, representing approximately 295,000 full- and part-time jobs, according to data compiled by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Canadian economy can’t afford CPP/QPP hike

Charlottetown, May 1, 2013 – Charlottetown, May 1, 2013 – Increasing Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) benefits would hurt the Canadian economy and result in significant job losses, according to a new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). In June, the nation’s finance ministers will discuss increasing CPP and QPP. One option being considered would cost employees up to $1,100 more per year, bring employment growth to a halt and force wages down 1.5%.

Island small businesses show boost of optimism

Charlottetown, February 1, 2013 – Prince Edward Island small business owners started 2013 with a solid boost of optimism. CFIB’S Business Barometer index jumped four points to 58.3 in January - close to the levels seen in late Spring and Summer 2012. However, PEI is still trailing well behind the rest of the provinces.

Hon. Gail Shea wins CFIB’s second annual Golden Scissors Award

Toronto/Montréal, January 25, 2013 – With Canada’s fourth annual Red Tape Awareness Week™ drawing to a close, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has awarded its Golden Scissors Award to the Hon. Gail Shea, Canada’s Minister of National Revenue.

Farmers hit harder by increasing red tape: productivity and stress among concerns

Ottawa/Regina, January 24, 2013 – CFIB is putting a spotlight on the negative impact red tape has on Canada’s farmers. Most businesses cite red tape as their second highest concern behind total tax burden, but recent CFIB data puts red tape at the top of the list of farmers’ concerns (79%). Farmers are also the most likely to say the burden of red tape has grown: 72% report the burden has increased over the past 3 years, compared to 55% among all other sectors.

CRA Call Centre Business Helpline gets C- grade from CFIB

Ottawa/Toronto, January 23, 2013 – The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) Call Centre Business Helpline received a lacklustre grade of C minus from CFIB.

Federal Government ups its grade to B+ in red tape report card

Toronto/Montréal, January 22, 2013 – The federal government has earned a grade of B+ in reforming the regulatory burden on small business according to the yearly Red Tape Report Card.

PEI earns D- in national red tape report card

Charlottetown, January 22, 2013 – The province of Prince Edward Island has earned a grade of D- in reforming the regulatory burden on small business according to the yearly Red Tape Report Card that was issued today by CFIB as part of its fourth annual Red Tape Awareness Week™. PEI received a grade of F last year.

Red tape costs Canadian businesses more than U.S. counterparts

Toronto/Montréal, January 21, 2013 – Most businesses in Canada pay more per employee than their counterparts in the U.S. to comply with regulatory requirements, according to a report issued by CFIB. The report, launched to kick off Canada’s 4th annual Red Tape Awareness WeekTM, updates the total cost of regulation to Canadian businesses, and provides a first-ever direct comparison of these costs to those faced by U.S. businesses. The U.S. comparison was sponsored by KPMG Enterprise.

Golden Scissors Award finalists announced

Toronto/Montréal, January 18, 2013 – With only a few days left until the start of Canada’s fourth annual Red Tape Awareness Week (Jan 21-25), the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has announced the finalists for its second Golden Scissors Award. The Award recognizes an individual who has successfully motivated or demonstrated leadership and courage, and produced meaningful and positive results in cutting red tape for small business.