Small Business advocates
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
A minority government in Ottawa presents some unique opportunities and challemges for small business and its leading advocate, says Catherine Swift, President, CEO and Chairwoman of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
"Only time will tell whether we were fooled in the recent federal election. There are enormous opportunities for small business if we get buy-in early. We hope it translates to a sensistivity to small business," Catherine told the club last week.
With 105,000 members, the CFIB is the leading advocate for small business in Canada. While non-partisan, CFIB is a strong voice for small business among all parties and governments.
Catherine says small business is the number one respected group in Canada in a recent poll. And despite some global economic uncertainty, Canada has outperformed the United States because our small businesses grow and add jobs consistently. In 2002, Canada created 550,000 jobs, while the U.S was "hemoraging".
Catherine says that despite predictions of futher growth this year, there are key economic barriers that government must address: taxation, monetary and fiscal policy, regulatory framework and access to financing.
And with downloading to municipal governments, this level needs to be more transparent if it wants the support of CFIB.
"We never give up and we will never go away," Catherine said.
She said Canada was well positioned to be one of the great leaders of the world in the 21st Century.
With 105,000 members, the CFIB is the leading advocate for small business in Canada. While non-partisan, CFIB is a strong voice for small business among all parties and governments.
Catherine says small business is the number one respected group in Canada in a recent poll. And despite some global economic uncertainty, Canada has outperformed the United States because our small businesses grow and add jobs consistently. In 2002, Canada created 550,000 jobs, while the U.S was "hemoraging".
Catherine says that despite predictions of futher growth this year, there are key economic barriers that government must address: taxation, monetary and fiscal policy, regulatory framework and access to financing.
And with downloading to municipal governments, this level needs to be more transparent if it wants the support of CFIB.
"We never give up and we will never go away," Catherine said.
She said Canada was well positioned to be one of the great leaders of the world in the 21st Century.