Calgary, August 26, 2026 – Following Premier Danielle Smith's update on Alberta's response to the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade dispute and tariffs, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomed the government's focus on mitigating impacts on small businesses while urging further action to improve affordability and competitiveness for entrepreneurs.
“Small business owners will be encouraged to hear Premier Smith acknowledge the severe impacts tariffs could have on Alberta's economy and the viability of thousands of small firms," said Keyli Loeppky, CFIB's Senior Director for Alberta and Interprovincial Affairs. "We welcome the province's commitment to consult directly with small businesses, establish a business advisory committee, and create new channels for entrepreneurs to raise concerns as this situation evolves."
While the measures such as launching new committees and creating an online portal and concierge service for businesses to submit tariff concerns are a positive first step, small businesses will need more than consultation if tariffs continue to threaten jobs, investment and growth. CFIB calculations show reducing Alberta's small business tax rate to zero, matching Manitoba, and increasing the threshold to $700,000 would cost approximately $408 million, or roughly 0.5 per cent of total provincial revenues.
“CFIB is calling on the Alberta government to immediately lower the province's small business tax rate and increase the small business income threshold to provide immediate relief to entrepreneurs facing rising costs and economic uncertainty”, said Kayode Southwood, CFIB’s Senior Policy Analyst for Alberta. “Together, these measures would save the average small business earning $163,000 in net income up to $12,000 annually.”
For CFIB’s average member with 10 employees or less, a 0% provincial small business tax rate has the potential to meaningfully contribute to offsetting the impact of U.S. tariffs and Canadian counter tariffs.
“Premier Smith has rightly emphasized the need to support businesses affected by tariffs and strengthen Alberta's economic resilience," added Southwood. "Lowering the small business tax rate would put money back into the hands of local entrepreneurs, helping them weather ongoing trade disruptions, invest, hire and expand—all to the benefit of our economy.”
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Kayode Southwood, CFIB
403-489-7595
Kayode.southwood@cfib.ca
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 103,000 members (11,000 in Alberta) 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 cfib.ca.
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