Latest news with #CFIB
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
No deadline extension for businesses to conform to Bill 96 rules: Roberge
Quebec is turning down a request from business groups to extend the deadline to comply with provisions of Bill 96. Quebec is turning down a request from the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) to extend the deadline to conform to new language laws. With just two days until provisions of Bill 96 come into effect, they say businesses need a 'reasonable delay' to iron out details and change all signs and labels, as per the government's initial commitment. 'The last thing we want to do is criticize a measure related to the protection of the French language. On the contrary, we want to defend, promote and spread the French language. But to achieve this, we must also provide retailers with a clear and realistic path forward,' Michel Rochette, president of the RCC for Quebec, said in a news release. The CFIB has a countdown to when the new provisions for businesses regarding public signs and posters, trademarks appearing on products, and francization will come into effect in large red lettering on its website. When Bill 96 was introduced in 2022, a three-year transition period was promised but the specific rules were only announced in the summer of 2024. 'This leaves businesses with barely a few months to adjust to significant requirements, particularly in terms of signage, municipal authorizations, validation by the (Office québécois de la langue française), and the management of cultural, specialized, and short-lived products,' Rochette laments. 'They had enough time' to adapt: Roberge But Language Minister Jean-François Roberge dismissed their concerns while speaking to journalists at the National Assembly Thursday. 'I think they had enough time,' he said, adding that 'the important thing is to show the OQLF that they are moving forward, and they will follow the law.' Roberge said he is aware that not all stores are conforming to Bill 96's provisions, but 'they will in the next few months.' But the organizations say the francization process is a headache for small and medium-sized businesses. Filling out a 20-page document can take up 54 hours of work, said the RCC. Chains have to make changes in several branches, which the RCC and CFIB say is expensive and 'some are already in the millions of dollars.' They say these extra costs for stores jeopardize the competitiveness of local businesses when online retailers are not subject to equivalent constraints. 'It is not by imposing unrealistic deadlines that we strengthen French, but by focusing on clarity, predictability and the commitment of businesses to a promising collective project,'' said François Vincent, CFIB Vice-President for Quebec. The Official Opposition remains divided on the issue. Parti Québécois MNA Joël Arseneau echoed Roberge's comments, saying, 'They can do it, they can do it quickly, and they have to do it. It's a matter of respect of the official language of Quebec and they are just trying to stretch the limits, and we don't agree with that.' Interim Quebec Liberal leader Marc Tanguay called Bill 96 'a bad piece of legislation' and said the government should be listening to retailers and helping them out. 'This is not what's going to protect the French language,' he said.
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Quebec business groups seek 11th hour relief from language law deployment
Quebec retailers and small businesses are urging Premier François Legault's government to push back the implementation of new French language obligations set to take effect in just four days, saying the province hasn't given them enough time to comply. The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) say Quebec needs to show flexibility with its new law, commonly known as Bill 96. Otherwise, they say, it risks bruising businesses at a difficult time as they deal with other major challenges such as tariff troubles and an economy likely plunging into recession. 'The last thing we want is to criticize a measure aimed at protecting the French language. On the contrary, we want to defend, promote, and help it flourish,' Michel Rochette, RCC's Quebec president, said in a statement released Wednesday. 'But to achieve that, we need to provide retailers with a clear and realistic path forward.' The last-minute plea underscores the frustration many companies feel when governments introduce legal changes without offering sufficient time for businesses to adapt. But in Quebec, it's particularly problematic because many business leaders feel the new rules go too far. In a bid to correct a language pendulum it says is swinging too far away from the use and adoption of French in daily life, Mr. Legault's government enacted a major update of Quebec's Charter of the French Language that came into force in June 2022. The law imposes stricter French language requirements for companies and empowers citizens to sue businesses that fail to serve them in French. It also tightens the use of languages other than French on product packaging, signs, and commercial advertising. And it requires small businesses with 25 to 49 employees to register with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) and begin a francization process. Previously that requirement was only for bigger businesses. The government pledged a three-year transition period but the rules spelling out many of the details of the requirements weren't released until the summer of 2024. And that's left companies scrambling to figure out what they need to change and how to change it before the June 1 deadline. In some cases, they need approvals from third parties, such as landlords or municipalities, to make signage changes to their storefronts, which can take time. In other cases, particularly with smaller businesses, they often lack the resources to devote money and energy to what some view as a non-critical task. 'It's not by imposing unrealistic timelines that we strengthen the French language — it's by focusing on clarity, predictability, and encouraging businesses to embrace a meaningful collective project,' said François Vincent, CFIB vice-president for Quebec. He didn't specify what a reasonable implementation deadline would be. Several major retailers that have English words in their store banners appear to be offside with the new regulations. A CFIB survey released in February found fully half of respondents said they weren't ready for the regulatory changes to come into force. One-third said they weren't even aware of the new requirements. François Roberge, Quebec's minister responsible for the French language, told Radio Canada earlier this month that the government might be willing to provide some wiggle room on signage change times but vowed not to back down on any aspects of the law. He said if businesses have started to work on comply measures they wouldn't be reprimanded, even if that work isn't complete. Quebec estimates it will cost businesses in the province $50-million to adhere to the new standards. Trade groups say the actual figure will probably be much higher. Sanctions for a company that's non-compliant range from $3,000 to $30,000 for a first offence and up to $90,000 for a third offence. Company directors are presumed to have knowledge of the offence and could incur personal liability accordingly, according to a recent summary by law firm McMillan LLP.
Cision Canada
7 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Streamlining licensing and workers compensation registration key to unlocking Canadian labour mobility Français
TORONTO, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - As the Committee on Internal Trade's June 1 deadline for delivering an action plan to boost labour mobility approaches, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)'s new snapshot highlights inconsistent regulations and standards restricting labour mobility across the country. "There has been lots of positive talk at all levels of government around breaking down labour mobility barriers in Canada, but we haven't seen all the action needed to support it yet," said SeoRhin Yoo, CFIB's senior policy analyst. "The June 1 deadline to deliver an action plan on labour mobility, as well as the First Ministers' Meeting on June 2 are opportunities for Premiers and the Prime Minister to show Canadian small business owners that they're serious about eliminating internal trade barriers." Of small businesses who have hired workers from, or have employees working in, other jurisdictions, nearly half (49%) have experienced challenges. For those businesses, top challenges include lack of recognition of certifications between jurisdictions, acquiring provincial licensing, adjusting Occupational Health and Safety rules to fit requirements of another jurisdiction, and registering business and employees in workers' compensation outside of their home province/territory. CFIB is urging governments to minimize exceptions, streamline certification processes, mutually recognize equivalent qualifications, and make it easier and quicker for employees to start working in another jurisdiction. "We're hearing from businesses that navigating WCB systems is time-consuming and that differing provincial regulations make it hard to operate and expand across Canada," said Bradlee Whidden, CFIB's senior policy analyst. "We need policies that would open doors for workers and allow businesses to better recruit and retain employees. Workers would be able to move to areas where their skills are in higher demand, while businesses would be able to fill vacancies more quickly, boosting Canada's economy and productivity while addressing unemployment. That can be done without compromising public safety, but we need political will and governments working together." Some examples of labour mobility barriers include: A nurse registered to practice in Ontario must still register with Quebec's college in order to start work in Quebec. A Red Seal-certified stylist from Newfoundland and Labrador cannot legally use the titles "hairstylist" or "hairdresser" in New Brunswick unless they have a separate, mandatory licence from the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick. They must also fill out an out-of-province application with supporting documents and pay $340, and the whole process could take up to 30 days. Podiatrists from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Northwest Territories must complete additional training before they can register and fully practice in Alberta. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Streamlining licensing and workers compensation registration key to unlocking Canadian labour mobility
TORONTO, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - As the Committee on Internal Trade's June 1 deadline for delivering an action plan to boost labour mobility approaches, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)'s new snapshot highlights inconsistent regulations and standards restricting labour mobility across the country. 'There has been lots of positive talk at all levels of government around breaking down labour mobility barriers in Canada, but we haven't seen all the action needed to support it yet,' said SeoRhin Yoo, CFIB's senior policy analyst. 'The June 1 deadline to deliver an action plan on labour mobility, as well as the First Ministers' Meeting on June 2 are opportunities for Premiers and the Prime Minister to show Canadian small business owners that they're serious about eliminating internal trade barriers.' Of small businesses who have hired workers from, or have employees working in, other jurisdictions, nearly half (49%) have experienced challenges. For those businesses, top challenges include lack of recognition of certifications between jurisdictions, acquiring provincial licensing, adjusting Occupational Health and Safety rules to fit requirements of another jurisdiction, and registering business and employees in workers' compensation outside of their home province/territory. CFIB is urging governments to minimize exceptions, streamline certification processes, mutually recognize equivalent qualifications, and make it easier and quicker for employees to start working in another jurisdiction. 'We're hearing from businesses that navigating WCB systems is time-consuming and that differing provincial regulations make it hard to operate and expand across Canada,' said Bradlee Whidden, CFIB's senior policy analyst. 'We need policies that would open doors for workers and allow businesses to better recruit and retain employees. Workers would be able to move to areas where their skills are in higher demand, while businesses would be able to fill vacancies more quickly, boosting Canada's economy and productivity while addressing unemployment. That can be done without compromising public safety, but we need political will and governments working together.' Some examples of labour mobility barriers include: Read the full Stuck at the border: How paperwork hinders labour mobility for small businesses snapshot. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Calgary Herald
24-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Carney's plan for digital government could find savings, but just as many headaches
Article content Mike Leahy, a director general in the department's commercial and trade branch, said the new system is more efficient because, among other things, it allows import taxes to be calculated electronically and immediately, creates an ongoing file for more than 157,000 Canadian businesses, and can more easily be amended to deal with errors or policy changes. Article content Article content CARM replaced a 35-year-old, mostly paper-based system just in time to deal with Donald Trump's erratic trade policies. 'The clock was ticking,' said Leahy of the old system. Article content Corinne Pohlmann, executive vice-president for advocacy for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), says governments should take advantage of AI and other digital tools to do things better but should also try to do more with less. Article content Article content Pohlmann said the new online import system may not be a step forward for small business owners. The new online system requires importers to put up bonds or use their credit cards if they want immediate release of their goods, unlike the old system, while the forms are now longer and more onerous, she added. Article content Many small businesses, such as restaurants, manufacturers or flower farms, don't have more time or money for paperwork, whether it's electronic or not. 'Just because something is digitized doesn't mean that it's less onerous,' Pohlmann said. Article content So where to from here? Article content For Solomon, the new AI minister, and Mélanie Joly, the new industry minister, and others involved in setting up Canada's plan for AI, e-government and other digital change, the destination may appear clearer than the path forward. Article content And with change comes challenges. Governments will also need to deal with a host of tricky matters, such as security and privacy concerns, online hate and apps and other services affiliated with state-owned enterprises based in China and elsewhere. Article content Article content The potential benefits of more e-government and AI services are tempting, but it's unclear how tolerant Canadians will be if the negatives from digital change start to pile up. The main negative will likely include job losses as some coders, factory workers, call centre workers and others could be replaced. Article content In the case of Sikma and many small business owners, the gains will need to clearly outweigh the costs. Article content 'It's just kind of a headache,' the frustrated Ontario flower farmer said of CBSA's new importing system. 'It's just another thing.'
