Dec. 18, 2008, Toronto – Concerned Ontario business
operators are looking for taxation and regulatory relief to help them ride out
the economic downturn and to help them fortify their business operations in
preparation for better days ahead.
"Ontario business owners are more optimistic about the
growth of their own businesses in the next year than they are about the economy
in general yet they still need government to join them in their efforts to
maintain profitability," explains Len Crispino, president and CEO of the
Ontario Chamber of Commerce. "While owners of small and medium sized
businesses plan to take a pragmatic approach by cutting costs where possible,
beginning with discretionary spending, they also hope for government measures
that will reduce the cost of doing business in the province."
A recent survey by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce of close
to 1400 businesses ranks the following measures as likely the most effective in
helping them get through the turbulent times:
– Lower taxes including corporate, personal
and payroll
– Streamlined regulatory environment with an
emphasis on smart regulation
– The harmonization
of retail sales taxes
– Improved access to financing
– More affordable energy pricing and abundant
supply
More than half of the survey respondents don't object to
temporary budgetary deficits as long as spending is used to stimulate the
economy.
"A balanced
budget has long been a priority of business owners in Ontario, but these
unusual times have given rise to more tolerance for deficits, so long as the
shortfall is a result of investments such as infrastructure and tax reduction
which will help stimulate the economy," adds Crispino. "Business
owners are very focused on immediate concerns like the availability of
affordable energy and business financing, rather than more long-term issues
that have dominated in the past."
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce will use the survey results
to inform comprehensive recommendations to the provincial government on ways to
improve economic renewal and business competitiveness.
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