Consumer-Led Banking Act  Businesses and people want financial services that are tailor-made to their needs and that are accessible, easy to use and affordable. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business recently published a study that shows that overall satisfaction by businesses in banks varies by size. Smaller businesses tend to trust credit unions and smaller financial institutions more as there is better customer services and more connection to their own communities, while medium and bigger businesses rely on larger financial institutions for access to larger amounts of financing.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023  In his speech, the member mentioned cutting red tape, and breaking news is that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business' Paper Weight Award for the most absurd red tape just went to the Canada Border Services Agency, Health Canada and Finance Canada. What do they all have in common? It is the $54-million ArriveCAN app.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023  However, in the economic statement, the government does absolutely nothing to help our SMEs and has decided to ignore the unanimous calls from the Quebec National Assembly, all of the premiers of all of the provinces, including Quebec, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Association Restauration Québec. They have all asked that the CEBA loan repayment deadline be extended. The government ignored them. It is simple. We have been and are still calling for the government to set up a direct line of communication with businesses that are having problems or that have questions.

Government Operations committee  The matter I want to speak to specifically relates to the fact that my Conservative colleagues, in their introductory remarks speaking to this motion, cited several times the work of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, an organization that represents small businesses in all of our communities. I know that folks around this table have probably met with that organization on several occasions over the past number of months, yet in the preamble to this motion there's no mention of the CFIB's number one priority, which for the past year has been the extension of the loan repayment deadline for the CEBA loans, including the partial loan forgiveness portion.

Government Operations committee  The 2024 red tape report card, the federal government received a “C-“ on the regulatory burden it places on businesses, according to the CFIB, ii. 92% of small businesses want the government to reduce regulation and red tape, according to the CFIB, The CFIB is the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. iii. Canada ranks 34 out of 35 OECD countries in time it takes to approve a building project, while the United States and the United Kingdom approve projects three times faster than Canada, according to the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force, iv.

Government Operations committee  Service Canada's passport delays netted CFIB's worst red tape award. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business awarded the 2023 Paperweight Award for worst red tape service to Service Canada's passport mess, something I just alluded to in the example that I indicated regarding adoption.

Canada Labour Code  Is it any wonder that business groups, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, are concerned about Bill C‑58? The answer is no. I am thinking of the activities of lobbyists. I will come back to that shortly. Employers do not want to lose that competitive edge over their workforce, namely the ability to settle a labour dispute without any industrial or commercial impact when other people are being paid, ever.

Committees of the House  Speaker, I would like to express my disappointment that I am unable to rise today to table a petition on behalf of several chambers of commerce in northwest B.C. and hundreds of small businesses across Canada, concerning the CEBA loans and partial loan forgiveness. This is something supported by the Canadian Federation for Independent Business and many other organizations. It is disappointing that, so late in the session, I am not able to table such an important petition.

Small Business  Last month, the provincial premiers from across the country called on the government to make that extension. Chambers of commerce, including those in my riding, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business asked for an extension. The NDP and Bloc Québécois have both asked for an extension. Sadly, both the Liberals and Conservatives in this place have ignored those calls and remained silent.

Business of Supply  All major ag groups, including the Agriculture Carbon Alliance, which encompasses all major ag groups in Canada, are in strong support of this legislation. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have offered their support to the Senate to pass this bill unamended because it makes sense for farmers and makes sense for Canadians. The carbon tax most definitely should, and soon will, be taken off all products in this country, but in the meantime, this is a pretty good place to start to help alleviate the cost of food for Canadians.

Public Accounts committee  These businesses are seriously considering bankruptcy. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, over 200,000 businesses are in that position. Has the impact of bankruptcies been assessed? Has the snowball effect of bankruptcies, including repercussions on jobs and suppliers, been evaluated?

Fall Economic Statement  It would be a big win for SMEs. It would mean 20% fewer bankruptcies, according to figures from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. It would make a big difference.

Fall Economic Statement  Still, it could give seniors a little breathing room in the current inflationary environment. The repayment of CEBA loans is another urgent situation. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, or CFIB, chambers of commerce and many organizations representing SMEs are raising the alarm with elected officials in the House and with the government. They are asking that the deadline be extended by another year.

Finance committee  We have also heard a lot of recommendations from the Quebec chambers of commerce, which are asking for a one-year deferral instead. According to data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 19% of SMEs will be in serious trouble without this deferral. There was the pandemic, and then the rise in interest rates. A number of companies have continued to take on debt and are now threatened with bankruptcy.

Finance committee  My name is Jasmin Guénette, and I am vice-president, national affairs, of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. I am joined by my colleague Christina Santini. As I'm sure you know, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the CFIB, represents 97,000 owners of small and medium-sized businesses, or SMBs, in all economic sectors across the country.