Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act  In committee, my colleague from Beauce had the opportunity to talk to groups from every region of the country and Quebec, and he was forced to admit that most if not all the people he spoke to are against the Senate's amendments to Bill C‑234. In fact, this morning we received a statement from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business begging members to reject the Senate amendments to Bill C‑234. Why? It is because farmers are against the amendments proposed by the Senate. These amendments were imposed by unelected senators against the will of elected members of the House of Commons.

Government Operations committee  Recently, in the National Post, the leader of the Conservative opposition wrote an opinion piece in which he stated: At the most, the Chamber of Commerce, Business Council, and Canadian Federation of Independent Business hold pointless luncheons and meetings and write op-eds or record interviews that almost no one sees. As leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, I refuse to meet the aforementioned groups.

Government Operations committee  These regulations restrict business activity, impose costs on firms and reduce economic productivity. According to a recent red tape study published by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the cost of regulation from all three levels of government to Canadian businesses totalled $38.8 billion in 2020, for a total of 731 million hours, the equivalent of nearly 375,000 full-time jobs.

Food and Drugs Act  I believe the Canadian Health Food Association, the Natural Health Product Protection Association, the Direct Sellers Association of Canada and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business when they say that the changes being proposed by the Liberal government, through Health Canada's changes to the definition of therapeutic products to include natural health products, is going to kill and stifle business.

International Trade committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Guénette and Mrs. Auger, from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, I know that you recently surveyed your members on the Canada Border Services Agency's digital assessment and revenue management initiative. You recently presented me with the main findings.

International Trade committee  In January 2024 we conducted a survey on international trade. We found that in the past three years, 31% of SMEs exported goods, services or both; and 63% of SMEs were not involved in exporting and did not plan to do so at all. These rates at which SMEs export have not changed since the last time we conducted the survey, in 2017.

International Trade committee  Good afternoon. My name is Jasmin Guénette. I'm vice-president of national affairs with the CFIB. I'm here today with my colleague Michelle Auger, a senior policy analyst. We would like to thank the committee for inviting us today. I will make my opening remarks in English, but I'm able to answer questions in French and English.

International Trade committee  We have with us today the Aluminium Association of Canada, Jean Simard, president and CEO, via video conference; the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Michelle Auger, senior policy analyst, national affairs, and Jasmin Guénette, vice-president, national affairs; the Canadian Trucking Alliance, Stephen Laskowski, president; the Canadian Wood Pallet and Container Association, Scott Geffros, general manager; the Eagle Graphite Corporation, Jamie Deith, founder; and the Railway Association of Canada, Lora Smith, vice-president, public and government affairs.

Finance committee  The budget includes the Canada carbon rebate for small businesses. I will note that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business was very vocal about this and the Conservatives were very vocal about it, yet they're going to stand against a budget that will get those returns back to small businesses across the country.

Food and Drugs Act  On April 1, the government hiked the carbon tax by 23% and, just last week, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported a drastic decline in both short-term and long-term business competence, with both dropping by 5.4 points in their monthly business barometer. What does all of that have to do with natural health products?

Finance committee  It's been a busy week for you and for me on that front. Small and medium-sized businesses that are members of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business remain at this moment very fragile. There are lots of concerns, lots of worries about the months ahead. Many businesses have been hanging on by a thread over the last several months, and sadly it would take very little to push them over.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999  That is just what we need when Canadians cannot afford to eat and are going to homeless shelters and food banks in increasing numbers. As it is, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates the added cost to the Canadian economy is $1.9 billion to produce these alternatives to the banned plastic packaging. We use plastic for a reason. It is vital to extend the shelf life of foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.

Finance committee  Hello to all the witnesses as well, and thank you for being here. My questions are for Mr. Kelly from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, or CFIB. My first question pertains to Bill C‑59, the massive budget implementation bill, not for this week's budget, but for last year's budget. That is what we are concerned with here today.

Finance committee  There will be a lot of time for members' questions. Now we're going to hear from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Mr. Kelly, go ahead, please.

Finance committee  Paul Allison, who is from McGill in Montreal. He will be with us to answer questions. From the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, we have the president and chief executive officer, Mr. Daniel Kelly, via video conference. Welcome. We are going to start with Dr. Paul Allison for his five-minute opening statement.