Government Business No. 4—An Act to Provide Further Support in Response to COVID-19  We will need to monitor the spread of the omicron variant. According to a recent survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 58% of SME owners reported lower-than-normal sales. Like my colleague from Joliette, I can only lament the fact that a useless election delayed the implementation of these new programs.

The Economy  Speaker, the Liberal method is simple: tax more to spend more or spend more and make Canadians pay for it. The president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has told us that there will be tax increases for as far as the eye can see. Our entrepreneurs need breathing room. It is that simple. Can the Prime Minister confirm that he will not shift the responsibility for his endless spending to our Canadian businesses and workers?

Criminal Code  It is important to keep in mind, as those negotiations begin and as the federal government starts speaking with provinces, the caution that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has expressed. That is: CFIB urges the federal government and provincial governments to exercise extreme caution when imposing new costs on small businesses at a time when a majority are still not back to normal sales or out from under their COVID-related debt.

An Act to Provide Further Support in Response to COVID-19  In that case, we need to recover from this pandemic, and we need the minority government to work with the opposition parties on such an important bill to ensure that the pandemic measures are the right ones. I do not know if the Canadian Federation of Independent Business representatives are right or wrong, but they are already saying the 40% to 50% subsidy rates are disappointing. That is why it makes sense to ensure we have enough time to study these measures, get the committees up and running again and really give this our all and take a good, hard look at this bill.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  There should be a “CTEC”, which would stand for Centre de transfert d'entreprise du Canada. This could be done along the line with existing organizations like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, community shares and the BDC. We don't need to reinvent a new entity; we can integrate this successful business model into any existing federal organization.

Business of Supply  A highlight of my parliamentary career was being awarded the Golden Scissors Award from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in 2015, an award for slicing through red tape. The government needs to get its scissors out to start clipping away, and it needs to challenge its regional counterparts to do the same.

Finance committee  I think I missed an important word in my presentation. When I was mentioning the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the estimated businesses that are at risk of closing, I may have said 239, and it's 239,000. Thank you for letting me correct that. It changes the dynamic quite drastically.

Finance committee  This design is an absolute mirror of Startup Canada's own mandate, so it is welcomed. The pandemic has displaced many Canadians and numerous industries. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates that 239,000 businesses are at risk of closing because of the pandemic. This situation must be curbed. COVID-19 has claimed a disproportionate number of jobs held by women.

Agriculture committee  My name is Jasmin Guénette. I'm the vice-president of national affairs at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, or CFIB. I'm joined by my colleague, Virginia Labbie, a senior policy analyst for agri-food. I'll give my short presentation in French and my colleague will give her presentation in English.

Finance committee  Thanks to you both. Yes, we've seen your letter to the Prime Minister. Turning to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have Dan Kelly, president and CEO, who I believe has alsosigned the letter. Welcome back, Dan. Yes, get your headphones on or we will be giving you the gears.

Finance committee  My apologies for not being better prepared, Chair.

Industry committee  I'm going to focus my comments today on the opportunity to improve competitiveness by modernizing our approach to regulation. I'm the chief strategic officer for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, so I bring the perspective of small business to the table. My comments are also informed by my recent experience chairing the external advisory committee on regulatory competitiveness.

Income Tax Act  I also want to mention the support of Daniel Kelly, the president and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, or CFIB, who appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance and was quite happy to express CFIB's very favourable position on the bill. I should note that 17% of business owners are seriously considering shutting down, that Bill C-208 would facilitate business transfers and, most importantly, that it is time for a resolution and for significant action.

Agriculture committee  I want to thank Fred Ghatala, director of Advanced Biofuels Canada, and Jasmin Guénette and Virginia Labbie from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Thanks for participating, and that will conclude our meeting today.

Agriculture committee  I want to go to Ms. Labbie with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Is it fair to say that your organization just writ large is against the price on pollution, Ms. Labbie?