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Small Business

The debate centered on various support measures for small and medium-sized businesses. Members of the Conservative party argued that tax deduction limits and the small supplier GST threshold have remained frozen for decades despite inflation, and asserted that U.S. tariffs are negatively impacting Canadian SMEs. In response, Liberal members stated that the government has implemented several support measures, including the ‘buy Canadian’ policy and investments of over $8 billion in key industrial sectors. The Liberals maintained that support for small businesses continues through regional economic development agencies and that various approaches are necessary to support the sector.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

8 statements

Brad Vis

Conservative
“Small businesses create jobs. The small business tax deduction limit has stayed at $500,000 for 17 years while prices have gone up. I want the government to raise this limit to $700,000 so business owners can keep more money to grow.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, during Small Business Week, we celebrate Canadians who take risks and create jobs, especially during these turbulent times. One of the most important tax measures available to small businesses, the $500,000 small deduction limit, has been left unchanged for 17 years, while inflation continues to soar. Will the Liberals agree with the Conservatives and raise the threshold to $700,000, so entrepreneurs can keep more of what they earn to invest and grow their business?

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Marie-Gabrielle Ménard

Liberal
“It is Small Business Week. Small businesses make Canada strong, and the owners I have met are ambitious and want to grow.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 45 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 43 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, it is true that we use it often and that it is a source of pride for Canada. Small businesses are a source of both talent and strength for our country. This week, we are celebrating Small Business Week. Since taking office, I have had the opportunity to talk with small business owners. What we are hearing is that they are very motivated and ambitious. They want to export and grow. Many women run small businesses, and I admire their strength. I think that our small business owners are a source of inspiration.

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Brad Vis

Conservative
“The sales tax limit for small businesses has been frozen at $30,000 since 1991, but costs have gone up a lot since then. Conservatives want to raise this limit to $60,000 to cut red tape and costs. Will the government accept our proposal?”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, that was a very serious question, and I hope to see the change in the budget, because that was not an answer. Here is another thing. The small supplier GST threshold has been frozen at $30,000 since it was introduced in 1991. Thirty-five years later, inflation has skyrocketed, costs have risen and small businesses have changed. Conservatives propose to increase the threshold to $60,000 to help entrepreneurs get ahead and reduce red tape. Will the government accept our proposal to help small businesses cut costs and invest more?

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Marie-Gabrielle Ménard

Liberal
“We have taken many steps to help small businesses, including urging people to buy Canadian. One single fix cannot help the whole sector. That is why the Conservatives' one-size-fits-all approach does not work.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, over the past year, we have implemented various measures to support small businesses. As a result of the buy Canadian policy, many businesses are developing or multiplying their business opportunities. We are serious about supporting small businesses. Indeed, one solution alone cannot help an entire sector grow. That is often the response we get from our colleagues in the Conservative Party. The so-called one-size-fits-all solution does not work.

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Jason Groleau

Conservative
“U.S. tariffs are hurting our small businesses and risking millions of jobs. I want to know why the government is sending billions of dollars to other countries instead of helping our businesses here.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, U.S. tariffs are hurting our small and medium-sized businesses. SMEs account for 99.7% of businesses in Canada and support nearly eight million jobs. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, tariffs are leading to additional costs of $187,000 a month per exporting business. Why are the Liberals sending our money abroad, to the tune of billions of dollars, instead of supporting our SMEs and protecting the eight million Canadian jobs?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“Our government is supporting Canadian workers and industries. We announced over $8 billion for steel, cars, and critical minerals, and we have spent more than $25 billion to help our industries grow.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 100 of 100

    Of this answer, 100% addressed the question that was asked.

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  • A repeated line

    “That is exactly what the government has done.”

    Said 3 times by 3 members since May 5.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I imagine that my colleague was really busy yesterday, but he no doubt saw the press announcement by the Government of Ontario: more than $8 billion in support for Canada’s steel sector, Canada’s automotive sector and the development of critical minerals. That is exactly what the government has done. We were there to support workers with more than $25 billion and to help our industries pivot to new markets. We will always be there for our workers and our industries and to make Canada a strong nation.

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Jason Groleau

Conservative
“The government is helping big corporations and ignoring small businesses. Tariffs are hurting these businesses, causing them to freeze hiring and cancel investments. The government collected over $9.7 billion in counter-tariffs. Instead of spending that money on illegal immigration, it should give it back to small businesses.”
Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, these measures are going to help big corporations. What I am saying is that the Liberals are turning their backs on our SMEs. Tariffs are having an impact: thirty-two per cent of Canadian businesses plan to scale back their operations, 24% are planning a hiring freeze and 23% intend to cancel their investments in Canada. The Liberal government has collected over $9.7 billion in countertariffs. Instead of spending our money on illegal immigration, for example, why not give that money back to the people who keep us going, to our SMEs?

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François-Philippe Champagne

Liberal
“The member is confused. Our government supports small and medium businesses through our regional economic agencies. We help them find new markets and we support Canadian workers.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 34 of 100

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

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Signal 7 of 100

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

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Official Hansard

Madam Speaker, I know that today is Friday, but the member seems confused. My colleague is an experienced member, and he knows full well that we are there to support our SMEs through our regional economic development agencies. Our SMEs are the beating heart of Canada’s economy. We were there to support them, to help them pivot to new markets and to support Canadian workers. Every day is a good day to fight for Canadians.

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