Oct. 17, 2013, Ottawa — Yesterday's speech from the throne offered up several measures that have small businesses and independent retailers across the country talking.
Promises to reduce taxes for small businesses once the federal budget is balanced and to reduce red tape and complicated rules governing business's dealings with the Canada Revenue Agency were welcome news in the country's small business sector.
"It is clear the federal government is listening carefully to the needs of Canadian entrepreneurs by announcing plans to legislate balanced budgets, reduce taxes on small businesses and address the burden of red tape they shoulder," said Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
"The majority of measures in the throne speech will send a positive message to small firms," Kelly added.
The speech did draw criticism in some circles for measures such as the government's promise to ensure consumers are informed of the costs merchants pay in order to accept credit cards that some worry didn't go far enough.
Speaking on behalf of the Retail Council of Canada, president and CEO Diane J. Brisebois said that although the speech "called for the empowerment of consumers by requiring disclosure of the cost of the different payment methods," the RCC did not think the government had gone far enough.
"RCC's view is that simply telling people how much they are being overcharged for credit card fees does not solve the problem. We need real action to address this issue," said Brisebois.
Yesterday's speech also promised action to implement the Canada Job Grant, aimed at encouraging employers to spend more on training workers.
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