Agriculture committee  For sure, if English is okay. I think they're both absolutely necessary for farmers, especially right now. We've heard that they need this really badly. Of course we need that grain-drying focus. I hear every single day from farmers who are so stressed and angry that they're asking me, "What's going on with this bill?.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Carey and Mr. Ross. I'll now turn to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Mr. Guénette.

Agriculture committee  Welcome back, gentlemen. Again, you're no strangers to this committee. From the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have Jasmin Guénette, who is the vice-president of national affairs. He is also in the room. We welcome Mr. Guénette and Taylor Brown, who is online and can answer any questions.

Agriculture committee  CPMA feels that food needs to be seen as essential and perishable food as a priority in all policy and programs, with consideration of fast lanes for both import and export models globally. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, nearly two-thirds of businesses said that a mandatory reduction of nitrogen-based fertilizer would decrease the profitability of their business and 42% said it would be challenging, as they have already reduced their nitrogen fertilizer use.

Business of Supply  When a Canadian farmer is getting between 13% and, on a good day, up to maybe 30% for their carbon tax rebate, members can see why, as the opposition in the Conservative Party, we are so adamant that we cannot see this carbon tax continue to rise and triple to $170 per tonne. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business also ratified and confirmed the numbers from the Grain Farmers of Ontario, saying that, in the first year, the average farmer paid about $14,000 in carbon tax. After it went up this previous April 1, the average farmer is now paying $45,000 in carbon taxes.

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 1  Small business insolvencies, I am sure members know, are on the rise, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported that owners of one in six businesses are considering closing their doors, with 62% of small businesses still carrying debt from the pandemic. The Liberals have created a risky environment for small business, and small businesses cannot afford to do business with these upcoming tax hikes, rising debt costs and staggering inflation numbers.

Cost of Living Relief Act, No. 2  We hear all the time that they are the backbone of our economy. I could not agree more. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports that one in six businesses are considering closing their doors and 62% of small businesses are still carrying debt from the pandemic. We have this risky situation that the government has created and is perpetrating on Canadians where everything is more expensive.

Industry committee  I would like to start with Statistics Canada. Last month, the committee heard testimony from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. We had Ms. Corinne Pohlmann from the CFIB join us. She noted that almost 90% of small business owners surveyed said, “excessive regulations add significant stress to their lives, and almost two-thirds would not advise their children to start a business given the burden of regulations.”

Business of Supply  Paying these prices for gas is not much better. It all seems so unfair. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the CFIB, seems to agree. It issued very specific demands about exorbitant credit card fees and bank fees. I will not shed a tear for oil companies that are pocketing billion-dollar profits and still finding ways to collect subsidies from the Liberals with the Conservatives' blessing.

Business of Supply  We put forward a solution in Bill C-234 to eliminate the carbon tax from farm fuels. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has done the math. In the first year of the carbon tax, Canadian farmers paid on average about $14,000 a year. With the increase on April 1, that goes to $45,000 per average farmer.

Income Tax Act  We also suggest supporting technologies designed to increase flexibility for the workforce. We know that is one solution. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, technologies that make work more flexible are one of the most important solutions to the labour shortage. Another solution is to eliminate entry barriers for employees.

Finance committee  If a 50 per cent rate is already used in other sectors, why not use the same rate as in those other sectors and not put the aerospace industry, for example, which has been hard hit, at a disadvantage? I listened to my colleague from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business answer the previous member regarding the extension of certain measures. I would say that striking a balance, having a debt reduction plan and asking for supplementary measures for certain sectors, seems to me to be going off the track very quickly.

Finance committee  My question is for the representatives of the Quebec Employers Council and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. If a representative of each organization could each answer my question in one minute, I would appreciate it. There is a lot of uncertainty in the business world at present.

Finance committee  Chambers asked the question, I felt lucky that I was on that page. My first question is actually to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. One thing I've found in my almost seven years of being an MP is that lots of my small businesses have actually started applying for the Canada summer jobs program, and they've really benefited from it.

Finance committee  Thank you. I'd like to switch to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Mr. Chair, how much time do I have? Is it about 90 seconds?