I just wanted to quickly mention the fact that businesses aren't eligible for the $250,000 exemption. In their case, the old rate still applies. That's not really an injustice, since there can be no justice between individuals and businesses. Justice and fairness are measured between people.
When we talk about SMEs, we don't know how wealthy their owners are. Some really wealthy people own small businesses, and others who are not so wealthy own them too. There's no point in having an exemption for businesses because, in the end, it's the business owners we're looking to spare with the exemption.
That hasn't changed. For example, people who own a restaurant, whether it's a small restaurant or a chain, will be treated the same way, that is to say whether they sell their shares, their small business or their large business, the first $250,000 they earn, on top of the other existing opportunities, will be treated the same way.
The fact that the exemption does not apply to businesses that realize capital gains has nothing to do with fairness. It's important to differentiate between businesses and individuals. We seek justice for individuals, not businesses.