Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1  That is a further incentive and opportunity for businesses to thrive and prosper. Again, I would like to read from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the CFIB, which states, “There is a surprising number of measures for small and medium-sized companies in this particular budget. They have expanded the lifetime capital gains exemption to $800,000.

Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1  The CRA's efforts and sustained approach to reducing red tape were acknowledged in January, when the hon. Minister of National Revenue was awarded the Canadian Federation of Independent Business's golden scissors award. Our balanced approach to business regulation and ongoing effort to reduce red tape will serve to create a more predictable environment for businesses to thrive and prosper in the long term.

Committees of the House  Let me quote a few experts on the skills shortage facing Canadians. In August 2012, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said that a shortage of skilled labour is the main operating challenge facing business owners in Newfoundland. Susan Holt, the New Brunswick Business Council CEO, said on February 24, 2012: There are more shortages in the higher-skilled positions but we still have 30 per cent of respondents highlighting challenges in filling low-skilled positions.

Government Advertising  Since we are talking about the 2013 economic action plan, I would like to quote the Canadian Federation of Independent Business: Overall, this is a good budget for small business…. [The minister] has done a solid job by remaining on course to eliminate the deficit while announcing some important measures for Canada's entrepreneurs.

Economic Action Plan 2013 Act, No. 1  Economic action plan 2013 would implement constructive job growth measures. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said: ...this is a good budget for small business. ...[the Minister of Finance] has done a solid job by remaining on course to eliminate the deficit while announcing some important measures for Canada's entrepreneurs.

Industry committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm quite familiar with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. I find the surveys and the responses quite helpful in staying on track with the interests of small businesses in my community. I just wish more of them would put their names on the reply cards so that I could call them and speak further about the issues and points they wanted to make.

Industry committee  Now I'll introduce the witnesses who are here with us regarding our study. From the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have Corinne Pohlmann, the vice-president of national affairs; and Monique Moreau, senior policy analyst. From Pelmorex Media Inc. we have Paul Temple, senior vice-president of regulatory and strategic affairs.

Financial Administration Act  This advisory panel will include such notable Canadian women as the president of Sun Life Québec, Isabelle Hudon; Venture Communications CEO Arlene Dickinson; former Ontario finance minister Janet Ecker; Canadian Federation of Independent Business chairwoman Catherine Swift; and Senator Linda Frum. This panel will advise the minister on how industry can increase the number of women on corporate boards. It will also be asked to find the best way to measure the participation of women on boards and in senior management positions and whether the government should be involved.

Business of Supply  The reason behind this program is to address the shortages confronted by many regions across Canada. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business stated in its Business Barometer report that 34% of small and medium-sized companies identified skills shortages as a constraint on growth. CIBC World Markets reported in December 2012 that 30% of businesses in this country are facing a skilled labour shortage.

Business of Supply  I would like the House to take note that CIBC World Markets reported in December 2012 that 30% of businesses in this country are facing a skilled labour shortage. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business stated in its business barometer report that 34% of small and medium-sized companies identified skills shortages as a constraint on their growth. To meet these demands and to further our economic recovery, our government is increasing support for skills training and apprentices.

Business of Supply  Our measures for the transport of goods, whether we are talking about imports or exports, have received the support of small, medium and large businesses. I would like to read a short quote from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. I will read it in English so that my colleague can understand exactly what it said without paraphrasing or translating. It said: Overall, this is a good budget for small business.

The Budget  Budgetary balance is projected based on reasonable assumptions and within the previously announced time frame. These are well-founded assumptions. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, in its new release, stated: Overall, this is a good budget for small business. [The minister] has done a solid job by remaining on course to eliminate the deficit while announcing some important measures for Canada’s entrepreneurs.

The Budget  I wonder if he has read that the Canadian Ferry Operators Association has said that it welcomes the 2013 federal budget and that, “This government continues to demonstrate its commitment to transportation infrastructure”. More than that, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has stated, “Overall, this is a good budget for small business”. It also stated, “Minister Flaherty has done a solid job by remaining on course to eliminate the deficit while announcing some important measures for Canada's entrepreneurs”.

Financial Institutions  Speaker, I would like to respond to that question by reminding my colleague of something. Ms. Hébert, of the Montreal-based Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said that our budget deserved a B, simply because we are not increasing taxes on small businesses, because we are listening to entrepreneurs and because we are ensuring that the tax burden is not being placed on the shoulders of investors.

The Budget  The first area is the government's innovative approach to filling the skills gap in Canada, while also helping transitional industries retrain and re-equip their workforces. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, in its 2012 statistics, indicates that 34% of small to medium-size businesses face a skilled labour shortage. This means that while some Canadians are having a hard time finding a job, some Canadian employers are having a hard time filling a job.