Stefan Hoffman

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)

Trade and Export Promotion Programs, including the AgriMarketing Program and Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, with respect to increasing export opportunities for Canadian natural health and wellness products Safe Food for Canadians Regulations –Impact on Organic Product Regulations. Impact on GMO labelling for foods. Impact on small businesses. Regulations affiliated with the Cannabis Act regarding the legalization of cannabis; regulatory amendments related to phytocannabinoids Natural Health Products Regulations – fair and consistent interpretation by the regulator. Plain Language Labeling under the self-care products framework. Personal importation of natural health products. Food Directorate and Canadian Food Inspection Agency – draft guidance on foods/supplemented foods/nutrition facts/food labelling and label modernization. GMO mandated labelling for food. Food & Drug Regulation - ensure appropriate interpretation of regulations. Impact on GMO labelling for food. Amendments to the Food and Drugs Act – Ensure sensible rules for natural health products. Address prohibition on sampling of natural health products directly to the consumer. Implication of Health Canada’s proposed Consumer Health Products Framework. Consideration of the 53 recommendations made in 1998 by the Standing Committee on Health.

Discussions with government officials concerning carbon emissions from fertilizer as it relates to municipalities and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Rail, Airports and Ports: Federal policies and programs with regard to access to national and international markets for trade, intra-city movement of people and goods and sustainability of small and rural communities. Municipal role in the G-7 & G-20, and trade negotiations with foreign countries surrounding tarrifs. Federal policies and programs with regard to improving accesses to affordable housing, reducing homelessness, increasing social infrastructure required for immigration and refugee settlement and integration support. Homelessness; Encampments; Affordable housing; Housing supply; Refugee and asylum seeker settlement; Housing Accelerator Fund; Reaching Home; Rapid Housing Initiative; Housing-enabling infrastructure; Federal policies and programs with regard to improving accesses to affordable housing, reducing homelessness, increasing social infrastructure required for immigration and refugee settlement and integration support. Homelessness; Encampments; redevelopment of public lands required to support communities that support the Canadian Armed Forces and its members. Affordable housing; Housing supply; Refugee and asylum seeker settlement; Housing Accelerator Fund; Rapid Housing Initiative; Housing-enabling infrastructure; Redevelopment of public lands; Emergency preparedness and security measures: Emergency preparedness policies and programs with regard to the cost and implementation of emergency equipment and first responder support; Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund; Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA); Wildfire response; Flood mapping; Environmental and sustainable development policies and programs with regard to local climate change mitigation and adaptation; Disaster mitigation and adaptation; Capacity building for sustainable community planning; Greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions; Water management, watershed planning, wastewater, and stormwater policy; Urban forest management and stewardship; Brownfield redevelopment; National Adaptation Strategy; Greener Homes Grant; Green Building Strategy; Green Municipal Fund. Federal infrastructure program funding, including (but not limited to) Infrastructure Canada Canada Community Building Fund; Infrastructure programs and funding; Permanent Public Transit Fund; Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) financing; Investing in Canada infrastructure Plan; Universal Broadband; Rural, remote and northern infrastructure; Telecommunications and Technology: Telecommunications policies with regard to universal broadband access throughout Canadian communities, antenna tower and municipal rights-of-ways. Municipal-aboriginal relations issues: Federal policies and programs with regard to municipal-aboriginal relations, resources to meet the needs of the aboriginal population living in municipalities, municipal consultation and communication regarding land management and additions to reserve. Urban and Rural Indigenous Housing; Municipal-aboriginal relations International municipal development; Canadian foreign policy with regard to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded programs overseas in various countries. Support for farmer-centric policies and strategies that improve resiliency in the face of extreme weather, mitigate against rising costs and inflation, support food security, improve access to new markets while partnering to share the costs of reaching Canada's climate targets; Carbon emission-reduction targets related to fertilizer Guidelines for urban transit, intra and extra urban transit systems: Infrastructure and Transportation policy with regard to the development of guidelines, policy and dedicated funding for urban, intra and extra urban transit systems; Intercommunity bus; Aerodromes and airports; Intra and extra urban transit systems; Municipal/railway proximity issues; Trade corridors; Shipping routes an

Discussions with government officials concerning carbon emissions from fertilizer as it relates to municipalities and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Rail, Airports and Ports: Federal policies and programs with regard to access to national and international markets for trade, intra-city movement of people and goods and sustainability of small and rural communities. Municipal role in the G-7 &G-20 and trade negotiations with foreign countries surrounding tarrifs. Support for farmer-centric policies and strategies that improve resiliency in the face of extreme weather, mitigate against rising costs and inflation, support food security, improve access to new markets while partnering to share the costs of reaching Canada's climate targets; Carbon emission-reduction targets related to fertilizer Federal policies and programs with regard to improving accesses to affordable housing, reducing homelessness, increasing social infrastructure required for immigration and refugee settlement and integration support. Homelessness; Encampments; redevelopment of public lands required to support communities that support the Canadian Armed Forces and its members. Affordable housing; Housing supply; Refugee and asylum seeker settlement; Housing Accelerator Fund; Rapid Housing Initiative; Housing-enabling infrastructure; Redevelopment of public lands; Environmental and sustainable development policies and programs with regard to local climate change mitigation and adaptation; Disaster mitigation and adaptation; Capacity building for sustainable community planning; Greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions; Water management, watershed planning, wastewater, and stormwater policy; Urban forest management and stewardship; Brownfield redevelopment; National Adaptation Strategy; Greener Homes Grant; Green Building Strategy; Green Municipal Fund. Community safety and crime prevention. National/contract policing; Community-based mental health and substance use care; Opioids and harm reduction; Auto thefts; Crime prevention through social development; Community corrections; Federal and municipal roles and responsibilities regarding policing duties and funding Telecommunications and Technology: Telecommunications policies with regard to universal broadband access throughout Canadian communities, antenna tower and municipal rights-of-ways. Rural, remote and northern municipal issues: Federal policies and programs with regard to delivering infrastructure funding in rural, remote and northern communities, trade irritants effecting rural, remote and northern communities, the development and implementation of the northern strategy in the three territories and the development of a rural champion at the federal cabinet level. Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements Revenue sharing with the federal and provincial governments: Federal policies and programs with regard to the payments in lieu of taxes (PILTs) system, intergovernmental partnerships, recognition of municipal governments contributions to economic growth, the fiscal imbalance between each order of governments revenues options and their responsibilities to provide services and programs to Canadians. Municipal Growth Framework. Municipal-aboriginal relations issues: Federal policies and programs with regard to municipal-aboriginal relations, resources to meet the needs of the aboriginal population living in municipalities, municipal consultation and communication regarding land management and additions to reserve. Urban and Rural Indigenous Housing; Municipal-aboriginal relations International municipal development; Canadian foreign policy with regard to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded programs overseas in various countries Guidelines for urban transit, intra and extra urban transit systems: Infrastructure and Transportation policy with regard to the development of guidelines, policy and dedicated funding for urban, intra and extra urban transit systems; Intercommunity bus; Aerodromes and airport

Obtain contributions for the development of McGill institutes and schools Obtain contributions for inter-sectoral, inter-disciplinary and international partnerships Obtain contributions for a wide array of non-peer reviewed academic, research, and partnership initiatives Discussions with federal officials to improve Canada's immigration policies and procedures Discussions with federal officials to encourage the development of a public policy framework that responds to the needs of post-secondary education and research Discussions with federal officials to advocate for increased support to the base budgets of the three granting councils, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and Genome Canada Discussions with federal officials to advocate for increased funding for the institutional costs of research Discussions with federal officials regarding campus infrastructure and deferred maintenance issues Discussions regarding science, technology and innovation policy frameworks with a view to enhancing Canada's research and innovation capacity Discussions aimed at putting the framework in place to make Canada a top destination for work and study by the best and brightest around the world Communications with federal officials to advocate for increased federal investment in scholarships for graduate students

Recherche de financement et un soutien du gouvernement fédéral accru pour assurer la réussite et la pérennité du Programme?national d’alimentation scolaire universel. Collaborer avec les différents paliers de gouvernement, le secteur privé et les organisations communautaires pour établir un modèle de partage des coûts durable qui soutient en priorité les enfants et les milieux qui font face à des obstacles à une alimentation saine. "L’organisme défend et participe à la mise en œuvre des lois, politiques et programmes de financement pour instaurer un Programme?national d’alimentation scolaire universel, pérenne, et renforçant les liens avec les systèmes alimentaires locaux. La vision du Club des petits?déjeuners est celle d’un pays où tous les enfants ont accès chaque jour à des aliments nutritifs à l’école. Pour réaliser cette vision, l’organisme défend et participe à la mise en œuvre des lois, politiques et programmes de financement pour instaurer un Programme?national d’alimentation scolaire universel, pérenne, et renforçant les liens avec les systèmes alimentaires locaux. Il collabore avec les différents paliers de gouvernement, le secteur privé et les organisations communautaires pour établir un modèle de partage des coûts durable qui soutient en priorité les enfants et les milieux qui font face à des obstacles à une alimentation saine. Un financement et un soutien du gouvernement fédéral accru sont indispensables pour assurer la réussite et la pérennité de ce programme.

Federal support for equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and Indigenization efforts including Employment Equity, Pay Equity and data collection Support for federal policies, legislation and regulations that respect institutional autonomy, academic freedom and collegial governance in post-secondary education. Increased federal supports for post-secondary education, students, academic and professional staff, including student financial assistance, federal transfers and programs such as infrastructure, official languages, and training. Advocacy on federal research funding, policy, science governance, research integrity and research security frameworks Ensuring users' rights are respected with regards to educators' ability to access, use and share materials covered by copyright. Increase in funding for federal programs that support Indigenous post-secondary education

Seeking to ensure the interests of Canada’s independent producers are considered in any artificial intelligence (AI) policies or regulations, including the National AI Strategy. Seeking to ensure the interests of Canada’s independent producers are considered in any amendments to the Broadcasting Act, Telecommunications Act, Online Streaming Act or Copyright Act. Seeking to ensure that producers are able to receive labour market opinions in a timely manner Seeking to ensure that appropriate Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) in the film and television industry are exempt from the 4-year cap on working in Canada as provided in the Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Seeking the creation of new private investment incentives through modifications to the Income Tax Act or other appropriate legislation Seeking CRTC-mandated contributions by internet service providers, wireless service providers, and online broadcasters to the creation and presentation of Canadian programming from the independent production sector Request funding for the creation of a mentorship program aimed at developing skill sets and acquiring work experience in the film, television and interactive media industry. Participation in Creative Export Canada via the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Participating in guideline consultations for all programs administered by Telefilm Canada Funding from Canadian Heritage for the production of annual research report "Profile: An Economic Report on the Canadian Film and Television Industry" Department of Canadian Heritage co-production policy with regard to international production treaties CRTC Canadian program certification relating to criteria used to determine Canadian content of productions Canadian Audio-Visual Certification - relating to criteria for obtaining CAVCO certification of a production Canada Income Tax Act relating to Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit program and to Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit Program Broadcasting regulations, including regulations related to Canadian programming. Broadcasting polices, including policies related to Canadian programming expenditures, digital media, and independently-produced programming.

Discussing the importance of new policies and programs related to sport, physical activity, reducing Canada's climate footprint, community infrastructure (including revisiting the fiscal arrangement between levels of government), housing, immigration, youth employment, and mental and physical health promotion. Pursue dedicated federal funding from Canadian Heritage and Infrastructure Canada to expand CPRA's Canadian Parks, Recreation and Sport Infrastructure Database to help municipalities and local organizations enhance planning efforts, identify opportunities to maximize facility usage, and benchmark provision standards. Securing bridge funding through Canada's regional development agencies to support CPRA's youth employment program

Advocating for Canada to impose an immediate Arms Embargo on Israel using Canada's Special Economic Measures Act and for Canada to suspend the Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership and the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement given Israel's violations of international law in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iran. Changing the way the government applies the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to ensure Canada's migration regime is not engaging in systemic anti-Palestinian racism or Islamophobia. Pushing for reforms to the act to ensure it is consistent with international law and human rights. Ensuring Canada's migration streams are not based on anti-Palestinian racism or Islamophobia. Encouraging a whole-of-government approach to ending Canadian complicity in Israeli settlements. Ensuring Canada enforces its war crimes legislation. Stopping Canadian participation in the settlement economy through legislative options to stop the import of goods from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory and the end to real estate sales in Israeli settlements. Advocating repeal of the federal government’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. Advocating for increases to all development assistance in support of Palestine and in particular increased funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Advocacy for an immediate and unconditional recognition of the State of Palestine and for Canada to adopt a non-interventionist position on the internal politics of the state, Palestinian authority, PLO. For Canada to end military and policing ties to the Palestinian Authority. Adding anti-Palestinian racism to Canada's Federal anti-racism strategy. Ensuring Canada views settler colonialism as central to our analysis of racism and our anti-racism strategy. Ensuring our anti-racism programming respects political and civil rights of Palestinians, including Charter Rights. Ensuring Canadian policy does not suppress Palestinians right to speak on their experience of structural racism in Israel and Canada.

The Official Development Assistance Accountability Act and its cross-partisan support. Canadian International Development Program: we want the Government to maintain a strong commitment towards poverty reduction in developing countries, through a good and clear policy framework and through funds and programs that allow Canadian Civil Society Organizations to participate actively in international development, with their local partners. (including humanitarian assistance) A project to enhance contributions of Canadian civil society organizations (CSOs) to the effectiveness of Canada’s international cooperation efforts.