Alexandra Paslat

Safe Shipping strategies and regulatory alignment Relief from import duties on FISC (fabricated industrial steel components) Participation in Risk Task Force for CSA Z276-18; review, amend and make recommendations to the risk assessment chapter 14 of CSA Z276-18 for recommendation to the CSA committee in the next update Income Tax policy with respect to tax treatment of LNG facilities Competitiveness on Canadian energy infrastructure investment Clarification, applicability and processes around National Energy Board Act provisions on energy exports. C-10 Immigration Processing Speed

CFIB supports the principle behind the Canada Jobs Grant but encourages flexibility in its implementation and consideration of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)' needs. For example, introducing a permanent refundable tax credits for co-op and internship hires and reducing red tape from programs like Canada Summer Jobs to make it easier for small businesses to continue hiring youth. Advocating on behalf of small and medium-sized businesses to facilitate trade between Canada and other countries (CAN-US tariffs, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Chinese tariffs). Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shares its suggestions for Budget 2026 focusing on: reducing the small business tax rate from 9% to 6% and increasing the small business deduction (SBD) threshold to $700,000 and index it to inflation going forward. Canada is experiencing an “entrepreneurial drought”: a sustained period where business closures consistently outpace new business starts, leading to a shrinking entrepreneurial base and declining confidence in entrepreneurship. CFIB recommends that reversing this trend should be treated as a national economic priority. Sharing small businesses' views on Labour Code changes, impact on small businesses and the need to ensure the fluidity of the supply chain. Sharing survey results on improving CFIA customer service to encourage the review of their operations to better meet the needs of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) - reducing red tape and facilitating food mobility within Canada. Sharing data information and recommendations related to the state of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) overall and for specific sectors which could also include provincial data. Promoting reforms to the Competition Act that will ensure small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete in today’s economy, especially as small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) have noted an increase in large corporate giants within Canada. Shipping costs pose a significant barrier for small business, as such we continue to advocate for favourable shipping rates with carriers (including the cost of shipping along with better service levels and addressing the work stoppage at Canada Post). Presenting the views of small business owners based on our survey data to the Canada Revenue Agency to share ways of improving customer service interactions with small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to ease the tax burden on small business owners as well as increase accountability within the agency. CFIB continues to monitor the effects of the Consumer Product Safety Act on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and other issues raised related to the mandate of Health Canada. We also continue to monitor customer service interactions between our members and Health Canada. Any issues are raised with officials. CFIB advocates for simplification to the federal procurement process on behalf of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Lobbying to reduce Red Tape by focusing on removing interprovincial trade barriers, facilitating labour mobility and improving government customer service. This includes providing input for the consultations on the Annual Regulatory Modernization Bill. Goods and Services Tax/ Harmonized Sales Tax Administration with regards to Transitional Rules, Out of Province Sales Rules, Point-of-Sale Rebate, and fillings. Retirement Income Policies, and proposed Canada Pension Plan increases. CFIB is against mandatory increases in Canada Pension Plan, and has provided alternative approaches. CFIB has also shared recommendations to reduce disincentives to work for older workers. Presenting the views of small business owners on infrastructure spending through member survey results, mandate votes and other CFIB research. Offering funding solutions and alternatives to government proposals on transit and infrastructure expansion. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

To promote that the Tax-deferred Co-operative Share Program be made permanent to help agricultural co-operatives meet their capitalization needs and remain a viable option for agribusinesses while allowing Canadian co-operatives to be stronger in the face of international competitors. To scale renewable energy co-operatives. Renewable energy co-operatives (RECs) can play a pivotal role in meeting net-zero goals while enhancing affordability and public buy-in. The federal government should invest in scaling RECs by ensuring equitable access to clean energy tax credits, financing, and capacity-building tools—placing Canadians at the heart of the transition. To strengthen co-operative housing. The Co-operative Housing Development Program (CHDP) has enabled billions in shovel-ready projects—complete with land, partnerships, and community backing—but available funding falls short. As Build Canada Homes is designed, the federal government must recapitalize CHDP to unlock the pipeline of shovel-ready projects and prioritize co-op and nonprofit housing development. Establishing a Federal Co-operative Investment Plan, inspired by the one in Quebec. Educating Parliamentarians, staffers and public servants on the co-operative model, the advantages and challenges faced by co-ops. Lack of awareness causes oversight and issues in programs and policies, when co-operatives should have access to the Business support and other programs offered by, or supported by, the government. Ensuring increased support to co-operatives and social enterprises, as underserved business models, by the BDC. As per the recent Legislative Review, co-operatives are significantly underserved by the BDC. Discuss the pro-active inclusion of co-operatives and social enterprises, in the procurement process. CMC would like co-operatives to be both eligible and prioritized in government procurement programs. Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy. Advocating for renewal of commitments related to the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy, such as the Investment Readiness Program and SISF-related funding for co-operatives. Promoting Business Conversions to Co-operatives as a means of safeguarding jobs and economic drivers in communities Harmonizing tax rules and incentives related to Employee-Ownership Trusts, to ensure that business succession (conversions) to employee-owned worker co-operatives are eligible. To review and propose possible changes to the Canadian Co-operative Act To expand the definitions and exemption criteria so that all qualifying co-operatives can remain eligible for the Small Business Deduction (SBD). Support or investment in the Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund which provides patient capital and lending to finance the capitalization of new and emerging co-operatives. The fund exists and was set up with $25 million from the co-operative sector. Review and propose changes to the Income Tax Act, in terms of the treatment of Indivisible Reserves in co-operatives. Amounts earmarked for Indivisible resserves cannot return to members and as such those amounts are thus outside the governments' definition of "for-profit", Investments in co-operative-led programs to provide bridges to employment, support entrepreneurship, safeguard local businesses, create jobs and make life more affordable for Canadians, in particular women, newcomers, Indigenous people, youth, and Canadians living in rural communities. Establishing a Canadian Co-operative Capacity Building Program (CCBP) equipped with federal funding to help co-operatives either start up, scale up, gain skills and expertise, and or prepare for their next steps.

As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: discuss issues related to Pharmacy sector in Canada. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Fertilizers Act and Regulations - in respect of labelling requirements for bulk shipments. Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) This regulation is of significant impact to our business. We are concerned there will be insufficient implementation time; design must be flexible; federal/provincial harmonization. Climate change principles As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: • Canadian Co-operatives Act – in respect to review and changes to the Act, understanding by the federal government for specialized co-op development programs that will help start and grow new and existing co-ops with specific sectors or populations and a viable business model. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act – in respect to rail and truck transportation of products and appropriate classification and stewardship of products. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Safe Food for Canadians Act and Food & Drug Act & Regulations - in respect of managing risk to food safety and supporting a safe food system for Canada. Including food commodities (fruit & vegetables, grains & oilseeds), including their inspection, their safety, their labelling, and advertising, and their import. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Feeds Act – in respect to possible amendments and policy interpretations. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Federal Budget – in respect to providing resources for environmental initiatives, including climate change, renewables, fiscal policy, investing in water and wastewater infrastructure, pollution abatement and enforcement. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Clean Fuels Standards and Climate Change Principles. FCLs actions to reduce carbon footprint through waste diversion activities and the reduction of emissions, etc. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Chemical Management Plan – in respect to assessment of chemicals in commerce in the coatings industry and risk management initiatives to mitigate harm to human health and ecological systems. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Canada Customs Act & Regulations - in respect of establishing & implementing appropriate enforcement mechanisms and policies which affect the movement of products. As it pertains to the oil and gas industry, food/home and building supply/crop supplies/feed retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing industries: Agriculture Policy Framework/Growing Forward – in respect to supporting the development and implementation of a safe food supply chain for the Canadian marketplace and the ability to trace products for the food retailing industry along the supply chain.

Recommending support and investment from the government to increase digital technology adoption rates amongst small business owners to in turn increase their competitiveness in domestic and global markets. Establishing a Global Entrepreneurship Leader in Canada by promoting global opportunities and benefits rendered by trade agreements to entrepreneurs and promoting Canadian entrepreneurship and innovation to the world. Encouraging government to work with Startup Canada to support with implementation of programs announced in budget Encouraging government to work with Startup Canada to inspire, encourage and support entrepreneurial ambition in Canada - connecting entrepreneurs to available programs and engaging them in their design.