Employment Insurance  Speaker, as opposition members know, the small business job credit will create, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, over 25,000 person-years of employment. It would reduce the cost for the employers of most Canadians, and 780,000 companies, over 90% of businesses, would benefit.

Small Business  I urge the member opposite to listen to what small business is saying. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said: —the code has served merchants extremely well...(it) has done an excellent job in ensuring some fair ground rules and maintaining Canada's low-cost debit system...

Employment Insurance  Let me remind the member opposite that this measure has been applauded by groups that actually understand small business. Take the Canadian Federation of Independent Business which stated, “It's a big, big deal for small business. It's good news for people looking for jobs”. Indeed, I can go on. I certainly hope the member opposite will recognize the good things that this government has done for small business and to support them as well.

Taxation  Well-known economist Jack Mintz said: The Conservative family tax package addresses a current inequity in the tax system, helping all Canadian families with kids”. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said a whopping 71% of its members support it, and the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada has praised it, too. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has applauded us and is among the many Canadian organizations that agree with our government's move to put money back into the pockets of hard-working families.

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2  This initiative has been called a big win for small business by groups across the country, including the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. The introduction of this tax credit will build upon our government's strong support of small businesses since 2006. For example, we froze EI premiums to provide certainty and flexibility for small businesses.

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2  That is one thing I have never heard at a Chamber of Commerce meeting or a Canadian Federation of Independent Business meeting. It is just not what people look forward to. I think we can certainly suggest that those couple of things in this budget, from a small business and community point of view, are very important.

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2  The member might want to go and talk to some of the small-business owners to see what they think about this. The organization that represents a lot of those folks is the CFIB, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. It does not agree with the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Not everybody agrees with the PBO on lots of things. I certainly do not agree on this and on a few other things as well.

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2  About 780,000 businesses in Canada are expected to benefit from these measures in this bill. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says that the credit would create 25,000 person-years of employment. While we are lowering payroll taxes for 90% of businesses in Canada, the Liberal leader has pledged to raise pension payroll taxes.

Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2  This is real money that a small business could use to help defray the cost of hiring new workers and to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities supporting growth and job creation. We have listened to the experts on small business. For example, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates that our small business job credit would create 25,000 person years of employment over the next few years. Monique Moreau, of the CFIB, said, “small businesses in Canada should be thrilled with this announcement...because they told us time and time again that payroll taxes like EI are the biggest disincentive to hiring.”

Finance committee  Thank you very much. My next question is for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, also known as CFIB. In 2013, our government announced a three-year freeze on EI premiums to promote stability and predictability for job creators and workers. This measure will leave $660 million in the pockets of job creators and workers in 2014 alone.

Finance committee  Hendrik Brakel, senior director of economic, financial, and tax policy. Second, from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have senior vice-president Corinne Pohlmann. From the Canadian Labour Congress, we have Ms. Angella MacEwen, senior economist. From the Green Budget Coalition, we have Mr.

Employment Insurance  The new small business job credit would lower insurance premiums by 15%, which will enable small businesses to save a lot more money. It is an advantage that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has—

Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  The agricultural community has been screaming that we need to get this bill through as fast as possible. It would absolutely be a big win for agriculture. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is also speaking out strongly in favour of it. The largest private sector employer in my riding is the aviation industry, Kelowna Flightcraft. Here is a quick quote from Jim Quick, who is the president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada: Our industry depends on exports and access to international markets to remain competitive and continue creating jobs and revenues here at home....

Red Tape Reduction Act  We are debating it today because back in budget 2010, we made a commitment to review federal regulations in areas where reform is most needed to reduce the compliance burden on businesses, especially small businesses, while safeguarding the health and safety of Canadians. At the time the Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimated that businesses in Canada spend over $30 billion each year complying with regulations, so the government took action. In 2011, we created a Red Tape Reduction Commission, which was made up of both parliamentarians and private sector representatives.

Employment  Speaker, just last week the Liberals had to stand and apologize in this House for trying to find support that was not there for their Liberal plan. Let us listen to what Dan Kelly, head of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said in regard to our credit. He just released this today. He said that small firms' number one concern is the total tax burden, that the number one most harmful form of taxation is payroll tax, and that the $550 small business job credit helps.