Finance committee  For our second panel this afternoon, I would like to welcome four individuals. First of all, representing the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Ms. Corinne Pohlmann, welcome to the committee. We also have a second organization, the Canadian Labour Congress, with Ms. Angella MacEwen. Welcome to the committee.

Sault Ste. Marie  I am pleased to speak today about a recent survey published in The Financial Post entitled, “Communities in Boom: Canada's Top Entrepreneurial Cities”. The survey was conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and it ranked my riding of Sault Ste. Marie second in Ontario and 23rd in the country. The survey, based on entrepreneurial rankings, studied things such as business-hiring growth, overall state of business, industry diversity and life satisfaction.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  The larger reason for me to be so proud to represent that constituency, the constituency that is home, that is where I was born and grew up, is that the people who live in the Peace country are dedicated to growing a local economy and building a stronger future, not only for our community but for the country in general. A couple of weeks ago, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business announced that Grande Prairie, which is the largest urban centre in the riding I represent and the largest city in the Peace country, was recognized as the most entrepreneurial city.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  I know that she cares so much about her constituents, as I always see her working hard and sending notes and getting ready for events. One of the strongest recommendations made by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business year after year is that our government move back toward balanced budgets and reduce the deficit. I am wondering if my colleague would speak about the importance of the economic action plan to move toward balanced budgets and decrease and get rid of the deficit.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  We just celebrated Small Business Week in Canada and I will highlight what our government is doing to help small businesses. A 2010 report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business suggested that red tape at all levels of government costs business about $30.5 billion extra every year. This burden is felt disproportionately by small business owners.

Finance committee  You really don't have any skin in the game, I don't think, as some might argue the Canadian Federation of Independent Business or some of the labour unions do. It's clear to everybody who reads the Income Tax Act that the two major groups that really benefit most directly from special tax breaks within the act are registered charities and labour unions.

Finance committee  Thank you for your presentation. We'll now hear the opening statement from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, please.

Finance committee  We also have, by video conference from British Columbia, Mr. Dan Kelly, from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Mr. Kelly, can you hear me?

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  With respect to the hiring credit, I hope the member and his party consider voting for this budget implementation act specifically because of the extension of the hiring credit, which was one of the main things that small businesses and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business asked for in their presentation to the finance committee. We have also restrained the increase, though, in terms of trying to find a balance between the premiums that are going in and the moneys that are going out from that.

Jobs and Growth Act, 2012  Convenience stores provide a unique opportunity for many new Canadians and entrepreneurs to realize their dreams of owning a business, and this credit increases opportunities for them to start employment in the convenience store industry.” Finally, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business praised the credit as “making it easier for small business to continue to support Canada's economic recovery by creating jobs”. While I know the NDP does not support low taxes, I must confess my disappointment at the NDP's reaction to the inclusion of this very item in the jobs and growth act, 2012.

Entrepreneurs  Speaker, for the third year running, the city of Grande Prairie has been named the most entrepreneurial city in the country by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. I am proud to represent the hard-working, innovative and forward-looking entrepreneurs who have led this country in building a thriving local economy that has created significant opportunity and prosperity.

Finance committee  We were talking about small business, and small businesses certainly are very important to our country. Of course, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is an integral part of what happens with small businesses. I said in the beginning that we have 770,000 net new jobs and we have the soundest banking system in the world, for five years in a row, actually.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act  It went on to say, “(PRPPs) would be a great option to attract new talent to our business”. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the voice of small business in Canada, made the case for PRPPs even more strongly. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business noted that while a 1% increase in CPP would destroy 220,000 person years of employment and drive wages down, PRPPs would expand the retirement savings options for thousands of Canadian small businesses and their employees.

Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act  There is great support from the public, not just for the concept but for moving quickly. I can read comments by Dan Kelly with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. What did he say about the pooled registered pension plans? He said, “This can't come soon enough from our perspective. We think this has great potential”. Why does the Canadian Federation of Independent Business think that?

Business of Supply  Let us hear from one of them. Let us hear from Catherine Swift, the president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, who represents employers. Employers pay half of the money into the EI fund. Let us hear what she said: We believe the changes to defining suitable employment, based on how frequently EI is claimed, will help to remove disincentives to work and hopefully make it easier for small firms to find the people they need.