Calgary, June 17, 2026 – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is urging the Alberta government to pair its newly announced Alberta Energy Rebate to individuals with meaningful, long-term cost relief for small businesses, including a reduction in the province’s small business tax rate.
“Small businesses understand how difficult rising costs have been for Albertans and appreciate the government’s intent to provide cash relief,” said Keyli Loeppky, Senior Director of Alberta & Interprovincial Affairs at CFIB. “However, direct payments to individuals alone won’t address the underlying challenges driving affordability concerns—especially for small firms that are being squeezed on all sides.”
Through the Energy rebate, most adult Albertans will receive direct payments tied to high energy revenues, replacing the previous fuel tax relief mechanism. While this may provide short-term help for households, a $100 payment will do little to offset the ongoing cost pressures facing Albertans or the small businesses they rely on. For entrepreneurs, this amount represents only a fraction of a single monthly cost increase.
“Small firms are dealing with rising costs in energy, insurance, operating costs, and property taxes,” Loeppky added. “A one-time $100 rebate is simply a drop in the bucket compared to the sustained cost increases businesses are absorbing every month. Without targeted relief, these pressures will continue to limit their ability to invest, grow, and keep prices down for consumers.”
Economists have also cautioned broad-based cash payments risk sustaining inflation by boosting demand without addressing underlying cost drivers in the economy.
CFIB is calling on the Alberta government to adopt a more balanced approach that would include measures that directly reduce the cost of doing business. This includes using its strong fiscal position to reduce the small business tax rate and increase the threshold. Reducing this tax rate to 0% would have less than a 1% (0.42%) impact on government revenue.
“Short-term cash might feel good today, but it won’t keep a business open tomorrow,” concluded Loeppky. “Alberta has the fiscal room to do more than short-term fixes. Cutting the small business tax rate is the most direct way to support jobs, investment, and long-term affordability.”
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Keyli Loeppky, CFIB
587-580-9140
Keyli.loeppky@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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