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Small Business

Question period exchanges on support for small businesses. The Conservatives said one in five small businesses is in weak or critical condition, argued costs need to come down, cited $150 billion in proposed spending cuts, and pointed to a women’s entrepreneurship loan fund that reached only a small share of its application and loan targets. The Liberals pointed to a new tax measure letting businesses fully expense investments in the first year, help for businesses affected by trade disputes, and a plan for women entrepreneurs they said has helped 600,000 women; one Liberal member also noted summer consultations focused on women entrepreneurship and offered to work with members on local businesses.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Brad Vis

Conservative

Linked statement

“One in five small businesses is in bad shape, and they need lower costs. We found $150 billion in government spending to cut. Will the government cut more outside consultants to save Canadians money?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, one in five small businesses are in weak or critical condition. They are calling on the government to lower costs and improve small business competitiveness. Conservatives have identified over $150 billion in savings that could lower the overall tax burden for Canadians and small businesses. To save Canadians money, will the government consider expanding its plan to cut unnecessary consultants who do not provide value for money?

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Mélanie Joly

Liberal
“We support small businesses. We created a tax break that lets companies write off the full cost of their investments in the first year. We also have help for businesses hurt by trade disputes, and I want to work with the member to help businesses in his area.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 37 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are always there for small businesses, making sure that they can be competitive. That is why many of them will be able to benefit from the new mega deduction that was announced by the Prime Minister last week, which will help many companies expense 100% of their investment in year one, particularly those in the manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, we know that many small businesses are affected by the trade war. We have a lot of support for them. I would love to work with my colleague if that is the case in his riding. We need to make sure that we help these businesses.

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Brad Vis

Conservative
“A program meant to help women start businesses failed to meet its targets, even after getting millions of dollars. The government should stop wasting money on consultants. Instead, it should cut taxes and help small businesses directly.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, let me give an example. The women entrepreneurship loan fund was supposed to help women start and grow their businesses. After filing an ATIP that took 915 days to receive, I learned that the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada met only 6% of application targets and 7% of loan targets, despite receiving millions of dollars from Canadians. Canadians expect results from their taxpayer dollars, not more spending on consultants. Why will the government not cut taxes, help entrepreneurs and save money for Canadians and our small businesses?

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Marie-Gabrielle Ménard

Liberal
“Our economy cannot grow without women. Our plan for women business owners has already helped 600,000 women in Canada, and we will keep building on it.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I first want to welcome all of my colleagues back to the House. The Minister of Small Business and I spent the summer holding consultations with a strong focus on women entrepreneurship. What we can say is that the strategy to grow our economy cannot succeed without the full participation of women. To date, the women entrepreneurship strategy has helped 600,000 women in Canada. That strategy is working, and we will continue to build on it.

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