CFIB president talks CPP ahead of national meeting in Vancouver

Vancouver – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business met with the B.C. finance minister last week in Vancouver to discuss the potentially damaging effects an expansion of the Canada Pension Plan will have on small business owners.

The plan will be debated by finance ministers from across Canada in Vancouver today and tomorrow.

“As our national economy continues to struggle, it is imperative that policy decisions support the small business community and their employees,” Kelly said in a news release. “As governments look to small business owners to create jobs, a payroll tax hike in this climate would be devastating.”

CFIB is in the midst of a cross-Canada effort to educate the public on the facts and risks associated with CPP expansion. British Columbia is the 10th province Kelly has visited to discuss the topic over the past year. In B.C., 66 per cent of small business owners reported a CPP hike would increase the pressure to freeze or cut salaries, and 31 per cent said they would have to lay off staff, the association said.