As Parliament returns to session, Canadian small business owners - including small farmers, are demanding immediate action to ease the mounting financial pressures they face. According to a Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) report, 63% of small business owners rank taxes as a serious concern, while 59% point to high operating costs and 56% cite uncertainty over economic conditions.
Economic conditions are a key area of concern for many small farmers.
“Between strikes, global supply chain interruptions, and crushing taxes and tariffs, small businesses have been to hell and back. Many have been adapting, pivoting and learning to live with constant uncertainty, but what they really need now is some stability,” said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. “Many businesses are scrambling to manage costs and make investment decisions. It’s time for the federal government to step up and give small firms the breathing room they need to survive and grow.”
More than 13,000 people have signed CFIB’s petition calling for urgent federal action. Their key priorities include swiftly implementing recent economic measures and ensuring funds collected through Canadian counter tariffs are returned to affected small firms. CFIB also demands the release of the remaining $600 million in 2024–25 carbon tax rebates, delivered tax free as promised.
The group urges Ottawa to increase the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption to $1.25 million, introduce the Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive, reduce the federal small business tax rate from 9% to 0%, and raise the small business deduction threshold from $500,000 to $700,000. Additional measures include lowering Employment Insurance premiums for smaller employers and reducing red tape by working with provinces to remove internal trade barriers.
CFIB Vice-President Jasmin Guenette said small business owners expect the upcoming federal budget to outline a clear strategy for reducing taxes and regulations while returning tariff revenues. Small farmers across Canada will be watching closely to see if the government follows through on its promises in this legislative session.