Kaitlin Martin

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)

Build Canada Homes and surrounding legislation. RCC is an interested stakeholder as it is a pivotal player in home building supply chains and would like to be included in government planning in this area. Retail Crime and General Crime Legislation. RCC is advocating for changes to criminal justice systems to enable a decrease in violent retail crime. This includes asking for tighter bail through reform. Grocery and Cost of Food remains a high priority concern for Canadians and for the food sector. Our discussions surround cost of food and inputs, the implementation of the industry led Grocery Code of Conduct, and other relevant subjects. Government Procurement and "Buy Canada" policies. RCC discusses on a regular basis how procurement rules should not impact Canadian based companies in any negative manner. Environmental Regulations, Plastics, Recycling, Environmental Sustainability. RCC regularly engages with ECCC on the development and implementation of environmental regulations to ensure Canada's standards are competitive and enable sustainability goals of retailers CUSMA Renegotiations, trade, Canada-U.S. relations. RCC represents members who are integral members of the cross-border retail supply chains and have considerable interests in tariffs and the renegotiations of trade treaties, namely CUSMA. Tariffs being applied to retail goods is also of concern Labour disruptions that impact retail supply chains and the retail industry Safe Food for Canadian Act, formerly Bill S-11, An Act respecting food commodities, including their inspection, their safety, their labelling and advertising, their import, export and interprovincial trade, the establishment of standards for them, the registration or licensing of persons who perform certain activities related to them, the establishment of standards governing establishments where those activities are performed and the registration of establishments where those activities are performed. RCC is interested in working with government to see regulations related to food safety and consumer product safety harmonizes with similar regulations that exist in the united states. RCC is interested in seeing the elimination of import duties that still exist on finished goods. Proposed legislation and policies related to prevention of forced and child labour in Canadian supply chains. Proposed changes to the tax treatment of privately held corporations; concerns with income distribution by family businesses and passive investments. Proposed changes to the tax treatment of privately held corporations International Trade - Request for Tarriff Relief for Retail Goods Formerly Bill C-243 - An Act to Amend the Payment Card Network Act (credit card acceptance fees) Discussion of Retail Council of Canada's priorities and government intentions regarding Federal Digital Charter implementation Bill C-27 Copyright Act - with respect to possible changes introducing levies on blank media, digital rights management technology, parallel imports; changes to "notice and takedown" regulations contained within existing copyright legilsation; lobbying for exceptions for photo finishers. Consumer Product Safety Act with respect to business confidentiality provisions and recall provisions Changes to the payments industry in Canada as described in the proposed Voluntary Code of Conduct for the Debit and Credit Card Industry in Canada issued by Finance Canada. Possible legislation to regulate the payments industry in Canada, either designating the credit card companies under the Canadian Payments Act, or a similar legislative proposal. Implementation of certain provisions of "Transparency, Balance and Choice: Canada’s Credit Card and Debit Card Systems" - Report of the Senate Committee on Banking Trace and Commerce. An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the