CFIB calls on parties to ‘think big’ for small business

10 policy proposals to better support entrepreneurs

CALGARY, March 5, 2019 – With the provincial election on the horizon, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) today released its Small Business Platform for the next Alberta Government, and called on all political parties to commit to implementing better policies to support entrepreneurs.

“Too many entrepreneurs in Alberta are struggling to survive in a very difficult economy. Regardless of which party wins the election, the next provincial government must commit to better policies to support the growth and success of small and medium-sized businesses,” said Richard Truscott, Vice-President, Alberta and BC.

Ten policies to provide much-needed support to Alberta’s entrepreneurs:

1. Apply a “Small Business Lens” to all new government policy
2. Cut red tape
3. Reduce the Small Business Tax
4. Balance the budget, control spending
5. Refund the WCB surplus to employers
6. Scrap the Carbon Tax
7. Rebalance labor laws
8. Freeze the minimum wage, create a training wage
9. Push back on CPP payroll tax hike, federal tax changes
10. “Just say no” to a PST

“Between a protracted economic downturn and a long list of aggressive policy changes from the government, Alberta’s entrepreneurs have been through a lot in the past few years. The next provincial government must do a better job of understanding the unique needs of independent businesses and finding ways to enable their success, not impair it,” concluded Truscott.

For more details, please see the full policy document

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Richard Truscott, Vice-President, Alberta and BC, at msalb@cfib.ca or 403-444-9290.

About CFIB:
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 110,000 members across every industry and region, including 10,000 in Alberta. 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.