Finance committee  On the fiscal point, we're not against fiscal stimulus by any means, we just would like the government to have a very clear target. Yes, the government has said we'll decrease the debt-to-GDP ratio, but that could be by 0.01%. If you set a target, it's a fiscal anchor, and then t

Finance committee  One thing I would note is that there hasn't been enough research done in Canada on the multiplier effect of fiscal stimulus, particularly around infrastructure. There are different multipliers that are put out by different economists, but I think some research there to determine

Finance committee  Thank you. A number of companies that we represent, particularly in remote communities—and I'm thinking about the mining sector in particular—do employ a number of indigenous people. I think anything that can be done, though, to improve programs that promote education, training,

Finance committee  Thank you. That's an excellent question. It's something that we've looked at quite extensively. The number one thing that will increase business investment is growth. I know that's the problem, but businesses will invest when they see growth. Because we've been in this situation

Finance committee  I didn't mention labour, but that does not mean it's not a priority. We actually have an initiative called the business/higher education roundtable, which was just launched. The purpose of it is to improve work-integrated learning to help more students transition from school into

Finance committee  We have a bit of a divergent view on tax and the small business deduction. We've been calling for the government to unify the general corporate tax rate and the small business rate—as has been done in the U.K.—as part of a broader tax reform package. We don't think it makes sense

Finance committee  Thank you. It's very important. We've been calling for some time for the government to establish a fiscal anchor, whether it be balancing by a certain date or targeting a particular debt-to-GDP ratio by a certain time. We think it's critical to business certainty to have somethin

Finance committee  I focused a lot of my presentation on trade. There is area of regulation that inhibits Canada's ability to take advantage of trade agreements, the supply management system in Canada's dairy sector. Canadian dairy producers are not able to export because of our supply management s

Finance committee  The Business Council of Canada represents chief executives and entrepreneurs of 150 leading Canadian companies in all sectors and regions of the country. Our member companies employ 1.4 million citizens, account for more than half the value of the TSX, and contribute a larger sha

International Trade committee  No, of course not. You'll always find particular issues that a company will have with an agreement.

International Trade committee  We actually only represent large companies, so we're a bit unique in that sense.

International Trade committee  Small businesses...?

International Trade committee  It's not my area of expertise, but I think it's about capacity building, frankly. I think there are some SMEs that are globally focused and prepared to do that. I think there are others that may not be aware of the size and the scope of the opportunity, and that's where I think t

International Trade committee  That's a great question. I think there is huge opportunity for companies that use a number of inputs. We did a study prior to TPP that looked at just getting rid of Canadian tariff protection completely, unilaterally. We found that there are huge benefits to the Canadian econom

International Trade committee  Sorry...?