Proceedings of the House and Committees  Many SMEs and organizations do not qualify. According to the latest survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 51% of property owners are not using the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program because they have to assume 25% of the cost of the rent. Of course some property owners refuse to apply for the program.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  Many PMEs and organizations are ineligible. And according to the latest survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 51% of owners do not use the program because they have to pay 25% of the rent. It is only to be expected that some should refuse to apply for this program to avoid having to provide a portion of the support.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  In cases where landlords refuse to co-operate, commercial tenants should be able to apply directly to the government. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business's latest report found that half of small businesses surveyed cannot make their June rent. We're asking the government to allow tenants to access the 50% rental funding when landlords don't agree to opt in to the CECRA program.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  The Canada emergency commercial rent assistance isn't working. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, or CFIB, is calling for a major overhaul of the program for small businesses. For example, the 70% drop in revenue criterion is excessive and will leave many SMEs on the sidelines.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  To be frank, the Canada emergency commercial rent assistance program is a flop. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, one in three businesses doesn't qualify for rent relief because it doesn't meet the 70% drop in revenues requirement. Half of businesses have indicated that their landlords won't be applying for the program because it's optional.

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  How can a tourism business that hasn't yet launched operations show a decline of 70%? It doesn't make sense. A recent survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business shows that only one in ten businesses can benefit from this assistance. Yet these businesses need the assistance. Does the government believe that commercial rent assistance is effective even though only one in ten businesses can benefit from it?

COVID-19 Pandemic committee  Madam Chair, as the government will not answer my question, I will answer it myself. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said that for the average farmer, the carbon tax will cost $14,000. I have a private member's bill that would help relieve this burden. As part of team Canada, will the government support my private member's bill to remove the carbon tax from propane and natural gas?

Government Operations committee  Great. Thank you. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business did a survey of about 8,000 of its members. It found that about a third of its membership will have a shortfall of about $10,000 in the next 30 days. That's when they take into consideration all the government benefits and all the revenue they're bringing in, obviously minus all the costs they're facing.

Finance committee  I think it's important for us to thank you. My final question is for Mr. Kelly from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. I know that a lot of our focus today has been on continued emergency measures right now. What model would you propose for us to continue to help our small businesses in the medium term as we go into what I call this “grey zone”, where we don't yet have a vaccine but are going to bring our economy back a little bit?

Finance committee  Thank you, everyone. It's great to be back with the finance committee this afternoon. The situation for small and medium-sized firms across Canada continues to be incredibly rough, some of the most challenging things I've ever heard from entrepreneurs. Our helpline at CFIB is getting 800 calls a day from our members—

Industry committee  I'll ask the first question, and my colleague Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay will ask the subsequent questions. First, I want to point out that, during the crisis, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business conducted a number of surveys of its members. A total of 77% of respondents said that they lacked the cash flow to pay their suppliers, rent, mortgages and fixed costs; 65% were concerned about their business debt; 35% were worried about having to close their business permanently; and 9% said that they needed help but didn't qualify for programs.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2  Therefore, I am pleased that organizations like the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters all agree that the Canada emergency wage subsidy would help employers keep paying hundreds of thousands of their most valued employees during this difficult situation.

COVID-19 Pandemic  They need more help than just the loans the government is offering. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, even with the help already being provided, 42% of small businesses are worried that they will have to permanently close. Only six in 10 businesses were in a position to pay their commercial rent in full for April.

Finance committee  Thank you very much, Leah and Susanna. Next, from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have Dan Kelly. Go ahead, Dan.

Finance committee  As I'm sure everyone knows, these have been incredibly difficult times for small and medium-sized firms across the country. I've spent 26 years working with and for small businesses and have never seen anything like this. This challenge started with small and medium-sized firms.