Budget Implementation Act, 1995  Shane McCune of the Vancouver Province wrote on February 22, 1995: A 57-page document from the Grumpy and Dopey school of finance-comic in its stupidity and tragic in its meanness''.The proposals are very simplistic and little more than playing with arithmetic,'' said John Bulloch, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. He criticized Reform's detailed plans, particularly its proposal to cut $3.4 billion from UI. Professor John Loxley said: "The Reform Party's economic analysis is horrendous and completely ignores basic principles of budgeting".

Budget Implementation Act, 1995  More important, it now accounts for over half of all the private sector employment. A recent survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business cited the deficit-debt as its number one concern. The finance minister listened to this concern and is maintaining his commitment to lowering the deficit, thereby providing the environment needed for small business to prosper.

Budget Implementation Act, 1995  Stephen Van Houten of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association: "This is really the first serious attempt at deficit reduction we have seen in this country in a long, long time". Even Reform members could agree with that. John Bulloch of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said the Minister of Finance has the biggest job ever and he came through. Jeff Gundy, an economist at Wood Gundy, said the minister has more than met if not exceeded market's expectation.

Act To Revoke The Conviction Of Louis David Riel  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business in its research paper and report on barriers faced by women business owners concludes that banks and lending institutions promote a double standard in their lending practices.

Act To Revoke The Conviction Of Louis David Riel  They should therefore be considered more dependable from the perspective of banks. Despite this, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business study, to which the hon. member referred, indicated that women continue to face greater obstacles to financing than men. A recent study by Statistics Canada suggests that while there is no systemic discrimination against women entrepreneurs, they tend to operate businesses in higher risk sectors.

Small Business  Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Industry. A recent report of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business shows that banks have a double standard when lending money to businesswomen. It suggests higher loan refusal, higher interest rates and less financing available to women entrepreneurs.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I was intrigued by earlier comments of members concerning the recent report of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. It seemed to suggest there was a gender bias of some description in lending. With some experience in the CFIB mode of surveying, I wonder if this is correct or if this is a reflection of the people who responded.

Supply  They say that government cannot make life fairer. If we did not do research through the Canadian Federation for Independent Business, would we know that women who have an excellent record with respect to the creation of jobs in small and medium size businesses are far more effective and far more efficient or that over 40 per cent of the jobs are created by the small businesses in which women are the most successful after five years?

Supply  Madam Speaker, yesterday the Canadian Federation of Independent Business had a press release. It said that women in new businesses are refused small business loans 20 per cent more often than men in new businesses. It also said that women in business pay 1 per cent more above prime than men in business do.

Supply  In Canada today women operate 39 per cent of small businesses. According to the most recent survey undertaken by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business women entrepreneurs are doing very well. Small and medium sized businesses are the major engine driving our economy, creating 85 per cent of all new jobs in Canada.

Supply  However, there is still discrimination by financial institutions against women who own and operate businesses. This discrimination was detailed in a study released last week by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and takes the form of higher interest rates and a higher refusal rate for financing requests for women than for men. This discrimination was identified despite the fact that the characteristics used for the study were the same, irrespective of gender.

The Budget  This does not come from me but from a new study released a few days ago by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. This study shows that women applying for business loans at financial institutions are turned down 20 per cent more often than men. It is a disgrace. And if they are approved, 95 per cent of the time, they have to pay higher interest rates on their loans.

Supply  Government spending must be cut. Small business gave us the same message. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business in its survey of small business states that 88 per cent of those that responded said the best thing the government can do to help small business is to cut spending.

Job Creation And Economic Growth  I want to pay particular attention to the Small Businesses Loans Act. That ceiling was increased from $4 billion to $12 billion. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says that particular program is not working so well. This morning I heard the hon. minister say on Canada AM that small businesses liked it so much that they used it up right away, within 18 months of it having been increased.

Regional Development  Mr. Speaker, the business community is near consensus. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business declared its research consistently shows that small and medium sized businesses advocate the complete elimination of all grants and subsidies to businesses and associations.