Latest news with #DanKelly
Cision Canada
6 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
CFIB statement on the need for the 2025 budget Français
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - We're pleased to see talk in Ottawa about advancing a spring budget after all. Small businesses are waiting on word on at least five outstanding measures from the 2024 budget and Fall Economic Statement (FES). They include: The tax status of the $2.5 billion small business carbon rebate delivered in December (CRA says it is taxable until government introduces a change). Changes to and delivery of the $623 million small business carbon rebate for 2024/25 (the FES proposed a new formula and government is now sitting on the rebates). A legislative change to allow businesses to qualify for the earlier carbon rebate by filing their returns for those years before Dec. 31, 2024. A bump in the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) to $1.25 million backdated to June 25, 2024 (introduced but not passed, promised by Prime Minister Carney too). The fate of the new Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive (backdated to Jan. 1, 2025) to lower the inclusion rate to 33% on a lifetime maximum of $2 million in eligible capital gains. All of these measures are supposed to be in place today, but were delayed due to the filibuster, prorogation of Parliament and election. Only one is temporarily supported by CRA (the LCGE change). A budget would provide the window for government to introduce the legislation, which should all be ready to go from the last Parliament. Without action, small businesses filing their 2024 taxes in June are required to pay corporate income tax on their share of the $2.5 billion carbon rebate they've already received and spent. Then, CRA is suggesting 600,000 small business owners file an amendment to get the tax back when the legislation change is made. This makes no sense at all. Among the best things the federal government could do to address the massive economic and trade uncertainty facing SMEs is to provide them with certainty on these tax measures. They have all been promised, are ready to go and should be part of a 2025 budget this legislative session. - Dan Kelly, President, CFIB 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
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CFIB statement on the need for the 2025 budget
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - We're pleased to see talk in Ottawa about advancing a spring budget after all. Small businesses are waiting on word on at least five outstanding measures from the 2024 budget and Fall Economic Statement (FES). They include: The tax status of the $2.5 billion small business carbon rebate delivered in December (CRA says it is taxable until government introduces a change). Changes to and delivery of the $623 million small business carbon rebate for 2024/25 (the FES proposed a new formula and government is now sitting on the rebates). A legislative change to allow businesses to qualify for the earlier carbon rebate by filing their returns for those years before Dec. 31, 2024. A bump in the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) to $1.25 million backdated to June 25, 2024 (introduced but not passed, promised by Prime Minister Carney too). The fate of the new Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive (backdated to Jan. 1, 2025) to lower the inclusion rate to 33% on a lifetime maximum of $2 million in eligible capital gains. All of these measures are supposed to be in place today, but were delayed due to the filibuster, prorogation of Parliament and election. Only one is temporarily supported by CRA (the LCGE change). A budget would provide the window for government to introduce the legislation, which should all be ready to go from the last Parliament. Without action, small businesses filing their 2024 taxes in June are required to pay corporate income tax on their share of the $2.5 billion carbon rebate they've already received and spent. Then, CRA is suggesting 600,000 small business owners file an amendment to get the tax back when the legislation change is made. This makes no sense at all. Among the best things the federal government could do to address the massive economic and trade uncertainty facing SMEs is to provide them with certainty on these tax measures. They have all been promised, are ready to go and should be part of a 2025 budget this legislative session. - Dan Kelly, President, CFIB 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 View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Businesses turn to other shipping services as Canada Post warns of delays from union's overtime ban
Canadians might wait longer to receive mail, packages and some cheques after the union that represents 55,000 Canada Post employees called on its members Thursday night to refuse overtime work. While postal operations will continue, the mail courier said in a statement that customers may experience delays. This comes after the union failed to reach a deal with the Crown corporation ahead of a midnight strike deadline on Friday. 'On the positive side, mail will still be moving, and while things may be delayed, they will get there,' said Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. Money for payroll won't be frozen in the mail, which is one of the biggest things that small businesses and their employees rely on Canada Post for, he said. But the lingering threat of a strike continues to create uncertainty for businesses. 'None of the long-term issues get resolved, and we still have the threat of a strike really at any point in time,' Mr. Kelly said. While some businesses are better prepared for the disruption after a previous 32-day walkout by postal workers last winter, it still introduces added costs – as much as 10 to 15 per cent for some users – that companies need to absorb or pass on to consumers. Many have pivoted to private couriers since the last disruption or lined up backups. Canadian shipping company Chit Chats, for example, saw a 300-per-cent increase in sign-ups and new shippers during the last Canada Post strike, said spokesperson Juhee Cha in an e-mail. But Mr. Kelly said turning to alternative couriers often means paying surge pricing the private companies impose in response to higher demand. 'You either eat the cost yourself or your business may be losing money on that sale,' he said. 'Consumers are already extra price-sensitive, given the uncertainty in the economy over U.S. tariffs.' Opinion: The truth is that Canada Post was simply set up to fail John Barrett, the director of sales, marketing and development at Veseys Seeds Ltd., which calls itself Canada's largest mail-order gardening company, said devastating losses during the last postal strike pushed the company to move shipments to a competing firm. The firm lost roughly 6,000 to 7,000 orders last winter, translating into 'hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of business,' said Mr. Barrett. The move to a new shipping company meant paying 10 to 15 per cent more 'at bare minimum,' he said, 'and in some cases more than that.' Still, many companies describe the shift to alternative shipment companies as a wise business move. Maria Morales, senior director and general manager at Poshmark Canada, said the fashion resale marketplace launched a partnership with Purolator in April, providing sellers who relied on Canada Post an alternative in case of disruptions. She said that over 75 per cent of Canadians live within three kilometres of a Purolator drop-off location, offering added convenience to consumers. But Mr. Kelly said the added pressure on private couriers could put strain on their capacity as well, which occurred during the last postal strike. In December, Purolator and UPS temporarily paused shipments from some other couriers as they worked through extra deliveries resulting from the Canada Post strike. The national postal service is also involved in the last leg of delivery in many remote communities. 'The private courier may get it as far as Whitehorse, but then to get into other locations in Yukon, Canada Post may be used,' said Mr. Kelly. 'If they're knocked out, customers become inaccessible.' For small businesses, any potential strike is set to compound sales challenges already brought on by U.S. tariffs, he said. Many companies also still rely on physical cheques for payroll, raising additional cash flow risks. Mr. Kelly criticized the union as well as political leaders for their inaction. 'The union seems to have a death wish – it seems to be doing everything possible to create as much economic damage to Canada Post and alienate as many customers as possible,' he said. In a statement, CUPW said that it opted to proceed with an overtime ban at this time to 'minimize disruptions to the public and lost days for members.' Geoff White, executive director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, which represents Canadian consumers, said Canada Post has an exclusive privilege over mail delivery and remains an essential service. 'So, its work force should not be allowed to – on a regular basis – use that exclusivity essentiality as a bargaining chip,' he said. The disruption comes at a pivotal moment for the Crown corporation, which has accumulated more than $3-billion in losses before tax since 2018. An industrial inquiry commission report recently found that Canada Post was 'effectively insolvent, or bankrupt.' The contract presented by the Crown corporation to its union on Wednesday included wage increases that amount to 13.59 per cent over four years, up from the previous offer of 11.5 per cent. It also added six paid personal days. Weekend delivery remained a sticking point – Canada Post and CUPW disagree on how to staff weekend operations. 'Canadians generally respect the importance of labour rights,' said Mr. White. 'But there is not a lot of sympathy in the case of Canada Post, which has had years to adapt.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Small businesses anxious about possible Canada Post strike
The manager of an Alberta clothing store says small businesses are feeling anxious as a strike deadline nears for thousands of Canada Post workers. Erin Primrose says she has been frantically preparing to send out shipments from Thelma & Thistle in Lethbridge using alternative delivery services. About 55, 000 members of the Canadian Union Of Postal Workers are set to go on strike shortly after midnight. The union says the latest wage increase offer from the postal service falls short. Canada Post says it's already seeing mail volumes decline and is pushing for an urgent resolution. Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, says many business owners already struggling with uncertain times are stressed about the possible labour disruption. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025. Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press
Techday NZ
20-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Chorus boosts NZ business fibre with new 1Gbps option, faster fixes
Chorus has introduced a set of enhancements to its business fibre plans in New Zealand, including a new 1Gbps symmetrical option and quicker restoration services, aimed at supporting the increasing digital requirements of small and medium-sized businesses. The updated plans come as digitalisation continues to play an essential role in business productivity and competitiveness, prompting demand for more robust and reliable connectivity across the country. According to Dan Kelly, General Manager of Access at Chorus, the transformation towards digital tools presents significant advantages for business operations. "Digitalisation is not something businesses can or should shy away from. It's an opportunity to work smarter, using tools that can drive business productivity and efficiency. With the rise of cloud software, increasing files sizes, hybrid work models, and always-on customer expectations - having connectivity that keeps up with the pace of business can make the difference where it matters," says Kelly. Kelly cited recent findings from Xero, highlighting that adopting digital tools is a crucial enabler for productivity growth at both national and individual business levels. "Recent Xero reporting shows adoption of digital tools is a key enabler for small business productivity growth, both at a national and individual level. Insights from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research show that a 20% increase in the number of businesses adopting cloud-based business tools in the future could add up to NZD $7.8 billion to New Zealand's GDP through increased productivity." Among the updates, Chorus has launched a new 1Gbps symmetrical plan, which offers equal upload and download speeds, and has improved committed information rates to guarantee bandwidth for critical business applications. The company has also introduced faster restoration timeframes and enhancements to service reporting. Kelly stated that these adjustments are part of Chorus's objective to cooperate with internet service providers in delivering connectivity solutions tailored to business requirements. "These enhancements to the business fibre plans reflect Chorus' ongoing commitment to working with internet services providers to deliver robust, fit-for-purpose products and services for the business community," says Kelly. The enhancements were developed after targeted consultation and market research to determine the current needs of enterprises in New Zealand. Chorus' recent research underscores businesses' growing dependence on internet connectivity. The data shows that the average time businesses can operate without the internet has dropped to 6.9 hours, compared to 9.6 hours in 2022. Daily activities such as e-commerce transactions, cloud application use, video conferencing, and EFTPOS payments rely heavily on a reliable internet service. According to the research, the effects of connectivity outages are immediate and significant. Impacts identified include disruption to operating function (54%), compromised customer satisfaction (49%), reduced productivity (48%), and lessened revenue (43%). Additionally, 60% of businesses identified rapid service restoration as the most important connectivity feature. "New Zealand businesses need the right infrastructure in place to support them on their digitalisation journey," Kelly adds. "We're confident that the Chorus fibre network delivers exactly what they need to do so confidently. It starts with reliable, built-for-purpose, business-grade connectivity, and you have that here with business fibre." Chorus references customer examples such as Method, an enterprise relying on high-speed, symmetrical bandwidth to manage large animation files and collaborate with international clients, and Isometric, which requires uninterrupted, high-bandwidth internet to support its cloud-based operations and day-to-day business activities. Chorus notes that service-based and e-commerce businesses with demands for speed and reliability can benefit from the expansive capabilities of the updated business fibre and Hyperfibre plans. Chorus' fibre network forms part of the infrastructure underpinning connectivity for thousands of New Zealand business. It follows over a decade of involvement in rolling out the government's Ultra-Fast Broadband programme.
