Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning of small business week.
This government can say all it wants about helping small business but the fact remains that the tax burden is higher in Canada than in most competing jurisdictions.
High payroll and corporate taxes form a barrier to jobs and growth because they tax business for every new job created. Small and medium enterprises are struggling in today's global economy and this means fewer jobs and opportunities for all Canadians.
The government could do a lot more for job creation if it actually allowed small business to grow. But its high EI payroll taxes, its whopping increases to CPP payroll taxes and its high small business and corporate tax rates only stifle growth and job creation.
The Progressive Conservative Party believes small and medium businesses are the real job creation engines of this country. When it comes to taxation less really means more, more growth and more jobs for all Canadians.