I meant to add at the beginning that we have to look at these changes in the context of the larger picture that we're facing in Canada right now. We are starting to see some bright spots in the economy, and I'm happy about that. I think that a lot has been done over the years to make that happen, but we have to remember that we just announced an increase in employment insurance premiums a couple of weeks ago.
Starting next year, there will be five straight years of carbon taxes or carbon pricing increases happening across Canada by provincial governments at the behest of the feds. Canada pension plan premiums will be increasing for five years, just the base premium, and then the threshold is going up for another two years. Then as a result of these tax changes we threw in this big mothball of uncertainty, as I've referred to it in The Globe and Mail. Provincial governments are coming to the table with huge increases in the minimum wage in three of Canada's largest provinces, labour law changes that will please Toby but very few others.
I have to ask, how many more shocks can small business owners take before they start doing some of the things that you've just described? I am deeply worried right now that a lot of small business owners are feeling absolutely beleaguered and wondering deeply about their future and whether or not they have a business to pass along to their children. You might claim that is an exaggeration, but I'm just hearing it so often from members of CFIB that I think I need to share it with you.