Budget 2026 must focus on creating the economic conditions where SMEs can prosper. Not through targeted programs with complex application requirements, but through fundamental long-lasting changes to Canada’s fiscal and regulatory landscape. This submission shares recommendations on how the federal government can create a climate that supports Canadian SMEs and future entrepreneurs.
The 2025 federal budget was tabled on November 4, 2025. While small business owners were hoping for meaningful cost relief and improved tax competitiveness, the 2025 budget largely reiterates commitments from announcements made in the 2024 budget. Learn more about the CFIB response and recommendations.
Small business owners were looking to the 2025 budget to provide critical cost relief and to improve Canada’s tax competitiveness to jump start our economy. Instead, most of the budget’s economic measures were reannouncements from 2024. Read more about how CFIB responds.
CFIB president Dan Kelly, executive vice-president of advocacy Corinne Pohlmann and vice-president of national affairs Jasmin Guenette were in Ottawa on November 4 to discuss the federal budget and its implications for Canada’s small businesses.
Small business owners were looking to the 2025 budget to provide critical cost relief and to improve Canada’s tax competitiveness to jump start our economy. Instead, most of the budget’s economic measures were reannouncements from 2024.