Latest news with #CanadianFederationofIndependentBusiness
Cision Canada
15 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Nearly two in three small businesses may permanently drop Canada Post if strike resumes following vote Français
TORONTO, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - As Canada Post workers start to vote on the final employer offer today, new data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) finds that a postal strike could push nearly two in three (63%) businesses to walk away from Canada Post permanently. "Yo-yoing in and out of strike mandates is causing Canada's small businesses – one of Canada Post's last groups of profitable customers – to leave for good," said Dan Kelly, CFIB president. "Small business owners and other consumers need certainty. 13% of small businesses permanently dropped usage of Canada Post during the 2024 strike and every time Canada Post goes on strike, more and more businesses leave forever." According to CFIB research, four in five businesses still use Canada Post. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of those businesses use it for sending cheques, while 61% send other letter mail. Over half (58%) like to use Canada Post for its low cost and convenience (50%), while reliability (25%) and customer service (9%) ranked much lower. CFIB estimates the 2024 strike cost small businesses between 75 million to $100 million each day. Most businesses (71%) responded to the disruptions by encouraging customers to use digital options, nearly half (45%) turned to private couriers, while 27% delayed mail. In its most recent annual report, Canada Post reported having only 24% of the market share in parcel delivery compared to 62% in 2019. CFIB recent data shows small businesses (73%) mostly rely on private couriers for package delivery. If Canada Post doesn't change its business model, it will continue losing critical market share making it impossible for the corporation to turn around its losses currently measured at $10 million per day. "The current model at Canada Post is in dire need of massive reform. It's long overdue for the federal government to implement the well-studied changes that have been required for over a decade," said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. "Small business owners deserve a long-term plan and a postal service they can count on." Methodology Final results for the Special Survey: Canada Post Service, Disruptions and Reform survey, conducted June 26-July 10, 2025, number of respondents = 2,317. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/- 2.04%, 19 times out of 20. 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
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Small businesses looking to Council of the Federation for support as tariff impacts continue to weigh down economy Français
TORONTO, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ - As Canada's premiers meet in Huntsville next week, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has sent a letter to all provincial and territorial premiers, as well as Prime Minister Carney, urging them to ensure small business priorities are at the top of their agenda. "Between tariff uncertainty, rising costs and weak consumer demand, it seems small businesses just can't catch a break. Canada is losing entrepreneurs, and we can't improve our sluggish productivity if we don't make it easier to start, run and grow a business," said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. "Canada's premiers have the power to truly create one Canadian economy. We hope they use this meeting as an opportunity to ensure small business policies are a key part of their discussions." Amid ongoing trade challenges, four in ten (42%) businesses have been raising prices. Around a third are shifting to domestic markets (37%) or absorbing some or all the additional tariff costs (31%), and a quarter are exploring non-U.S. markets (25%) or delaying expansion plans (29%). To provide small businesses with greater opportunities to grow and compete, CFIB recommends governments: Lower the small business tax rate with a plan to get it to 0% and raise the threshold to $700,000. Ensure small- to medium-sized firms are included in the planning and execution of major infrastructure projects. Quickly return the federally collected tariff revenues to SMEs and clarify the use of the provincial tariff contingency funds. Keep the momentum going on internal trade and adopt a unilateral direct-to-consumer alcohol shipment approach, as Manitoba has done. "Businesses need targeted policies that would boost our economy and increase Canada's global competitiveness. There has never been a better time to build a more productive Canada than now," said SeoRhin Yoo, senior policy analyst of interprovincial affairs. "We hope to see faster action on key small business priorities following the COF meeting." Methodology Preliminary results for the Your Voice July survey. The online survey is active since July 10, number of respondents = 1,330. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/- 2.69%, 19 times out of 20. 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
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
Study finds tariffs stifling sales and new investment in Canadian auto sector
A stockpile of Ford F150 Lightning EV models are shown at the Ford Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Ont., May 5, 2025. Photo by Dan Janisse / Windsor Star A study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports the Canada-U.S. trade dispute has resulted in 49 per cent of businesses in Ontario's automotive sector postponing or cancelling new investments while delivering a double-digit decline in sales. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Since U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff campaign began in February, Ontario's small- and medium-size auto firms have scuttled potential investment worth $2.9 billion over the next year. 'Uncertainty, market volatility and increased costs are forcing auto business owners to make difficult decisions to keep their doors open,' said Joseph Falzata, the report's co-author and CFIB's policy analyst for Ontario. 'The desire to grow is there, but with such massive revenue losses, businesses are more focused on keeping their doors open than expanding their operations.' The impact of those lost investments will have a ripple effect across Ontario's economy. Falzata said June was the first month since March that those surveyed weren't going to lay off more people than they hired. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. June was a net zero month for hiring with 15 per cent of firms saying they expected to lay off employees in the next three to four months matching the percentage intending to hire. The remaining 70 per cent forecast no employment level changes. 'It's a huge impact,' Falzata said. 'Ontario needs big employers like Stellantis, Ford, GM … but those companies also need these smaller suppliers to make their products. Those businesses also support the existence of other non-automotive businesses in cities like Windsor.' The survey was sent to 500 members of the CFIB and focused on the 187 business with fewer than 500 people that were operating in the automotive sector in Canada. It found that 65 per cent of those businesses were negatively impacted by the tariffs. The average loss of sales to date has been 13 per cent. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Business confidence is at low levels right now in Canada,' Falzata said. 'The last few months it's an all-time low – lower than during the pandemic the 2008 financial crisis and even 9/11.' Falzata added 34 per cent of exporters reported experiencing border delays since the tariff war started. The uncertainty has resulted in the triple threat of a pause in investment, a decline in demand and higher prices for imports. 'Fifty-five percent of (of all types of) businesses report there's insufficient demand for growth in Ontario,' said Falzata, who noted the paperwork involved in getting products certified as CUSMA compliant adds another layer of costs. 'Right now, businesses are just focused on keeping the doors open. They're trying to re-navigate their supply chains to Canadian suppliers or other countries than the U.S. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's expensive to do that. Businesses said they plan to pass on most if not all those additional costs to consumers.' Falzata said the CFIB feels government support and some changes to the small business income tax rate are required to help the sector navigate through this period. However, the $85 million in funding allocated to the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) along with the $50 million set aside for the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) are expected to be used by only one to two per cent of small auto business owners. Falzata said requirements of businesses to match government grants or invest up to $200,000 to be eligible for the programs is beyond the reach of most small businesses in the current climate. Being able to demonstrate a 30 per cent loss in revenue is another eligibility hurdle. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'If you've lost 30 per cent of your revenue, you're focused on fighting to keep the doors open and not likely to have $200,000 lying around,' Falzata said. 'Our membership would prefer to see the small business income tax reduced from 3.2 per cent, the highest rate in Canada, to two per cent. Perhaps reducing the revenue decrease to 10 per cent to be eligible would help.' Falzata said the CFIB also recommends raising the threshold for the lower small business tax rate from the first $500,000 earned to $700,000. 'While these programs were created with good intentions, the reality is they miss the mark for small business,' said Falzata. The organization also recommends the federal government speed up its distribution of tariff money collected on U.S. goods to lessen the effect of the damaging trade war. Dwaddell@ Crime Toronto & GTA Entertainment World NFL
Global News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Global News
Ontario should rejig supports for small auto businesses in wake of tariffs, CFIB says
Ontario should rejig its programs meant to support auto businesses through the impact of tariffs and associated economic uncertainty, as the way they're currently structured is leaving small businesses in the lurch, an advocacy group says in a new report. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business released a report Wednesday based on a survey of 187 small-to-medium-sized businesses in the automotive sector, from parts suppliers to repair shops, and found that tariffs are already having an impact. Their revenue has declined by 13 per cent, on average, and half of them reported that they have paused or cancelled investments due to uncertainty caused by the Canada-U.S. trade war, which could lead to billions in lost revenue or missed investments, the report said. 'It's impossible for a business owner to really know what's going on these days,' Joseph Falzata, co-author of the report and policy analyst with CFIB Ontario, said of the whiplash trade policy news. Story continues below advertisement 'I do this as my full-time job, and it's always difficult for myself. So you can only imagine a business owner who's working 50, 60 hours a week trying to keep track of things.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Their revenue is taking a hit in part because they are paying higher prices and there is confusion about which products are affected by tariffs, as well as due to costs associated with seeking out new supply chains, Falzata said. Ontario has programs meant to help shore up businesses in the automotive sector, but while appreciated, they're missing the mark when it comes to supporting smaller businesses, the CFIB report says. In its spring budget the provincial government said it was putting $85 million into two programs: the Ontario Automobile Modernization Program to help parts suppliers upgrade equipment and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network for research and development. 'Though these programs have been created with good intentions, few small businesses plan to use them, and over a third of them are ineligible,' the CFIB report says. 'The programs focus on R&D innovation and large-scale manufacturing, while disregarding the reality that most automotive (small and medium businesses) either cannot afford or are not involved in these processes.' A new $50-million Ontario Together Trade Fund meant to help businesses develop new markets and find domestic supply chains, requires businesses to show a revenue loss of at least 30 per cent and requires them to put up $200,000 of their own capital, which the report calls 'a luxury most (small and medium businesses) cannot afford.' Story continues below advertisement The government said its programs have already helped hundreds of businesses, with the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network supporting more than 600 small and medium businesses since its inception in 2019 and the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program has supported 215 projects since 2021. 'In the face of unprecedented global economic uncertainty, our government is protecting and building on the progress we have made to champion small businesses in the auto sector and across the economy,' Jennifer Cunliffe, a spokesperson for Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli, wrote in a statement. The best way to help small businesses would be to lower the small business tax rate from 3.2 per cent to two per cent, the CFIB said. The government lowered the rate from 3.5 per cent in 2020.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ontario should rejig supports for small auto businesses in wake of tariffs, CFIB says
TORONTO — Ontario should rejig its programs meant to support auto businesses through the impact of tariffs and associated economic uncertainty, as the way they're currently structured is leaving small businesses in the lurch, an advocacy group says in a new report. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business released a report Wednesday based on a survey of 187 small-to-medium-sized businesses in the automotive sector, from parts suppliers to repair shops, and found that tariffs are already having an impact. Their revenue has declined by 13 per cent, on average, and half of them reported that they have paused or cancelled investments due to uncertainty caused by the Canada-U.S. trade war, which could lead to billions in lost revenue or missed investments, the report said. "It's impossible for a business owner to really know what's going on these days," Joseph Falzata, co-author of the report and policy analyst with CFIB Ontario, said of the whiplash trade policy news. "I do this as my full-time job, and it's always difficult for myself. So you can only imagine a business owner who's working 50, 60 hours a week trying to keep track of things." Their revenue is taking a hit in part because they are paying higher prices and there is confusion about which products are affected by tariffs, as well as due to costs associated with seeking out new supply chains, Falzata said. Ontario has programs meant to help shore up businesses in the automotive sector, but while appreciated, they're missing the mark when it comes to supporting smaller businesses, the CFIB report says. In its spring budget the provincial government said it was putting $85 million into two programs: the Ontario Automobile Modernization Program to help parts suppliers upgrade equipment and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network for research and development. "Though these programs have been created with good intentions, few small businesses plan to use them, and over a third of them are ineligible," the CFIB report says. "The programs focus on R&D innovation and large-scale manufacturing, while disregarding the reality that most automotive (small and medium businesses) either cannot afford or are not involved in these processes." A new $50-million Ontario Together Trade Fund meant to help businesses develop new markets and find domestic supply chains, requires businesses to show a revenue loss of at least 30 per cent and requires them to put up $200,000 of their own capital, which the report calls "a luxury most (small and medium businesses) cannot afford." The government said its programs have already helped hundreds of businesses, with the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network supporting more than 600 small and medium businesses since its inception in 2019 and the Ontario Automotive Modernization Program has supported 215 projects since 2021. 'In the face of unprecedented global economic uncertainty, our government is protecting and building on the progress we have made to champion small businesses in the auto sector and across the economy," Jennifer Cunliffe, a spokesperson for Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli, wrote in a statement. The best way to help small businesses would be to lower the small business tax rate from 3.2 per cent to two per cent, the CFIB said. The government lowered the rate from 3.5 per cent in 2020. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025. Allison Jones, The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio
