Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022  The impact the inflationary policies of the government are having on Canadians is affecting businesses as well. We know, from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, that one in six businesses are considering closing their doors. Sixty-two percent of small businesses still carry debt from the pandemic. They are feeling the effects of inflation as well.

Small Business  I am afraid to report that it is grim. Last week, I met with people from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business who provided an update that, as I had feared, showed that Canadian small businesses continue to fight for survival. Nearly two-thirds have pandemic debt, with an average pandemic-related debt amount of $145,660.

Small Business  Speaker, with the cost of living and record-high inflation, small businesses have been forced to bear the brunt of cost increases, which are hitting them hard after more than two years of challenges. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, small businesses have incurred, on average, $150,000 in new debt, yet what Christmas gifts are the Liberals giving them for 2023? Tax increases. Carbon tax increases add costs to their heating bills and anything that is shipped.

Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2022  The Conservative Party's simple demands, which we know were backed by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, were not considered. Furthermore, the Parliamentary Budget Officer's assessments confirm what we are saying. We are not making things up just so we can make speeches and blather on.

Small Business  Speaker, I thank the member for his question. What we have heard from business groups in Canada, including the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, is that we have to support our small and medium-sized businesses. In the fall economic statement, we announced plans to work on the credit card system to support small and medium-sized businesses by lowering credit card transaction fees charged by big institutions and big banks.

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, that is one thing the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is calling for, but there are other things as well. Are members aware that of the 4% of SMEs with an average debt of $150,000, 78% are experiencing persistent stress and 17% are thinking of closing permanently?

Small Business  Mr. Speaker, according to a recent Canadian Federation of Independent Business, or CFIB, survey, 94% of businesses in Canada and Quebec say that price increases are related to the cost of transportation and fuel. Furthermore, 80% of businesses say that government costs such as fees and permits have driven prices up significantly.

Finance committee  That's not what we're hearing from our small and medium-sized firms—the 95,000 members that are part of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. In fact, only 42% of small businesses tell us that their sales are back to normal levels. Under 50% of Canada's small business owners are still under water with respect to their sales levels and they haven't seen those materialize.

Finance committee  I think it's super-unfair two years later to say to the business owner who applied with all good intentions that they're now going to have to repay that loan in full, losing its key benefit. We're getting flooded with calls at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. We've been tracking this issue for quite some time. We certainly take no truck nor trade with anybody who deliberately deceived government, but we think that those businesses that did get the loan should continue to have that.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Currie, for your opening remarks. Now we'll hear from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. We have Daniel Kelly, who is the president and chief executive officer, via video conference.

Finance committee  From the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, we have Keith Currie, first vice-president, and Scott Ross, executive director. From the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have Daniel Kelly, president and chief executive officer. From Équiterre, we have Marc-André Viau, director of government relations. Finally, from S.U.C.C.E.S.S., we have Queenie Choo, chief executive officer, who is with us via video conference.

Agriculture committee  My name is Jasmin Guénette, and I'm the vice‑president of National Affairs of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the CFIB. I'd like to thank the committee for this invitation. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business represents 95,000 members in all sectors of the economy and in all provinces.

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 1  The harsh reality is that even small-business bankruptcies are on the rise. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, one in six businesses are considering closing their doors and 62% of small businesses still have pandemic-related debt. I should mention in passing that I am not talking about the marijuana facilities run by the Liberals' friends.

International Trade committee  The frustration is real. I'd like to ask Ms. Potter a question. We have heard the Canadian Federation of Independent Business say that approximately one in six businesses is considering closing its doors even still because of the devastating impacts of ArriveCAN. I'm just wondering if you could speak to any instances of this, or to what you've seen from small businesses and the impacts of this app and what the cost may have been to the small business industry, which is what most of our tourist towns are made up of—very small independent businesses.

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 1 (Targeted Tax Relief)  Businesses across Canada are having a harder and harder time planning for their future. Small business insolvency is on the rise. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported that one in six businesses are considering closing their doors, with 62% of small businesses still carrying debt from the pandemic. In other words, the environment that businesses and workers find themselves in today is risky.