Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Small Business

Question period exchange on small business. The Conservatives said more businesses are closing than opening, citing CFIB figures on closures and the cost of government paperwork, and asked whether the government would cut red tape, taxes and spending. The Liberals said they are supporting small businesses by helping them export, including them in defence plans, pausing the excise tax and reducing red tape, and that they consult business owners regularly.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Sandra Cobena

Conservative

Linked statement

“More businesses are closing than opening in Canada. They spend too much time on government paperwork. Will the minister admit Liberal policies have failed and get out of the way of small businesses?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the CFIB has sounded the alarm on the entrepreneurial drought in Canada for six consecutive quarters. More businesses have shut down than opened up. The Montreal Economic Institute has said that “the heartbeat of innovation, job creation and economic growth...is in sharp decline”. Small businesses spend about 250 hours per year on red tape that could be eliminated, and it would not even cost the government a single dollar. Will the minister admit that the Liberals’ tax-and-spend approach has failed and get out of the way so that our businesses can thrive?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Marie-Gabrielle Ménard

Liberal
“We are supporting small businesses. We are helping them sell goods to other countries and including them in our defence plan. We also paused the excise tax to help them.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, of course, I share my colleague’s concern for our small businesses. Canada is home to one million businesses employing six million Canadians. I have just finished a series of round-table discussions, and we are working with SMEs to help them get export-ready. Small businesses will have their place in Canada’s defence industrial strategy. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business welcomed the suspension of the excise tax. That also supports small businesses in Canada.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C– View analysis

Sandra Cobena

Conservative
“Businesses spend too much time and money on government paperwork. Will the government cut red tape, taxes, and spending so businesses can succeed?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurs need a direct and clear answer. The CFIB estimates that the total regulatory cost of government is $52 billion. Businesses are burning through a collective 768 million hours annually on paperwork. Just this week, I met with businesses that have heard Liberal promises for almost a decade. They are asking if the Liberals could just leave the starting line and do something. Will the Liberals commit today to cutting their red tape taxes and government spending, so that businesses can actually thrive in our country?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Marie-Gabrielle Ménard

Liberal
“Our plan helps small businesses by cutting red tape. I talk to business owners every week, and our changes are helping them.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 44 of 100

    Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we have been clear. That is part of the strategy to support small business. Part of our approach involves reducing red tape for businesses. Obviously, I do not entirely agree with my colleague’s statement. I consult with small business owners every week to understand what they are going through. My sense is that the transformation that we are currently undertaking is helpful and gives our small businesses hope for a bright future.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 109

All 48 items ·
  1. Government Orders Government Orders 122 statements
  2. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  3. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 3 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Economy 7 statements
  6. Oral Questions Finance 4 statements
  7. Oral Questions Small Business 4 statements
  8. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  9. Oral Questions Aerospace Industry 4 statements
  10. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Housing 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions International Trade 10 statements
  14. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 4 statements
  15. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Public Safety 4 statements
  17. Oral Questions Mental Health and Addictions 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 2 statements
  19. Oral Questions Infrastructure 2 statements
  20. Oral Questions Pharmacare 3 statements
  21. Oral Questions Business of the House 3 statements
  22. Government Orders Government Business No. 9—Changes to Standing Orders 64 statements
  23. Oral Questions Finance 8 statements
  24. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  25. Oral Questions Climate Change 4 statements
  26. Oral Questions Finance 3 statements
  27. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  28. Oral Questions Health 4 statements
  29. Private Members' Business National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Act 12 statements
  30. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  31. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  32. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements