Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2  There, I had the opportunity to meet with Dan Kelly, the president of CFIB, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, to discuss the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in rural economies such as Glengarry—Prescott—Russell. This is what Mr. Kelly said in support of our EI credit.

Business of Supply  It should be noted that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business represents a huge, broad percentage of small businesses in Canada. Our government has a responsibility to create the right conditions for economic growth. Clearly, it is one that we do not take lightly.

Business of Supply  The reason I am mentioning the names of a few economists, such as with the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, as well as now the Royal Bank, is that we heard earlier from a Liberal member of the House that economists have said this is not going to stimulate business, this is not a good idea, and the Liberal idea is a better one.

Business of Supply  However, no one has to take my word for it. Let me quote Monique Moreau of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, who stated, “Small businesses in Canada should be thrilled with this announcement because they told us time and time again that payroll taxes are the biggest disincentive to hiring”.

Business of Supply  Even the Canadian Federation of Independent Business points that out. I would like to ask a question, and it should have a very clear answer. It should not take the member long to reply, not as long as his speech, hopefully.

Red Tape Reduction Act  For a year, the commission criss-crossed the country, talking to companies, small-business owners, and associations like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business about what most frustrated them and what they would like to see changed. It hosted a total of 15 round-table sessions in 13 cities, attracting some 200 participants.

Government Operations committee  The government and the representatives from the small and medium-sized businesses really work together in order to improve this situation. The Red Tape Reduction Action Plan flows from a partnership with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. I think it is important to maintain a dialogue with these organizations.

Government Operations committee  I think that's a workable definition. It's a definition that we consulted on with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and other business advocacy groups, particularly those associated with smaller businesses. We said that we want to make sure this covers things that they are interested in fixing in government.

Taxation  Speaker, our reduction will apply to 740,000 small businesses across Canada. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the CFIB, understands that tax increases kill jobs, but the New Democrats would significantly increase taxes by bringing in a 45-day work year. We want businesses to expand and owners to save and then spend their hard-earned money.

Finance committee  If we don't do it, we look to those who have expertise, and in this case we looked to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Finance committee  The government has relied on the analysis of those who are the small business experts, those who actually represent small business, which is the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and it estimated that the $550-million EI payroll tax reduction for some 780,000 companies will create 25,000 person-years of employment.

Finance committee  The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which represents 109,000 small businesses across the country, says that our new small business job credit will create 25,000 person-years of employment. I'm curious as to why your job estimates would vary so greatly from theirs.

Committees of the House  The Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business all say that skills shortages are the greatest obstacle they face right now. The problem is further complicated because workers of the baby boom generation are beginning to retire, taking their skills with them.

Red Tape Reduction Act  He did just point out, quite accurately, that the rule he mentioned in his address has been in place since 2012, fulfilling a throne speech commitment made then and reaffirmed in 2013, and was introduced during the Canadian Federation of Independent Business Red Tape Awareness Week. As the member for Huron—Bruce has pointed out, there has been a reduction of over $22 million, an estimated savings of 290,000 hours, and a net benefit of 19 federal regulations taken off the books.

Red Tape Reduction Act  The commission's goal was to be transformative in how the government related to and worked with small businesses. We all know how critical small businesses are to Canada's economy. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business told us how small businesses were being strangled in the red tape of federal, provincial and municipal governments. The commission provided us with the opportunity to focus on what was happening at the federal government level.