Latest news with #Pohlmann
Cision Canada
15 hours ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Nearly one in five small businesses dealing with tariff costs won't last more than six months if nothing changes
TORONTO, /CNW/ - New data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reveals that small businesses are being hit hardest by U.S. and Canadian tariffs on steel and aluminum (59%), as well as Canada's own retaliatory tariffs on other U.S. goods (58%). In addition, nearly one-third of Canadian SMEs will be negatively affected by the loss of the $800 U.S. de minimis exemption. "Small businesses don't have a lot of runway left. They are trying their best to absorb the costs, but if nothing changes, they will be forced to make some tough decisions," said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB. "The worst outcome for Canada in the trade war is a bad deal, but the second worst outcome is the never-ending uncertainty small business owners have been wrestling with for the past six months. The federal government needs to provide some stability and return tariff revenue to help small businesses. We've suggested several options, including temporarily reducing the federal small business tax rate to zero or a tariff rebate designed on earlier models, like the carbon tax rebate." CFIB data shows that the trade war is squeezing small businesses on every front. Nearly two-thirds (62%) face higher expenses while many are also seeing lower revenues (48%), supply chain disruptions (41%), and paused investments (36%). Nearly one in five (19%) small businesses dealing with extra tariff costs report that they will not be able to last more than six months if the tariff status quo remains and nearly four in 10 (38%) said they would last less than a year. With Ottawa collecting billions in additional tariff revenue on U.S. imports, a strong majority (82%) said the government should ensure that any tariff revenue that is returned includes support for smaller businesses affected both directly and indirectly by trade disruptions. "The trade war's impact on Canada's small businesses should be top of mind for the government as Canada continues its negotiations with the U.S. Canada can't fix its productivity crisis without empowering its entrepreneurs. If the government wants to build one Canadian economy, it needs to ensure small businesses are part of the solution and that includes providing them with tariff support during this very challenging time," Pohlmann said. Methodology Preliminary results for the U.S.-Canada trade war and your business survey. The online survey is active since August 8, 2025, number of respondents = 1,721. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/- 2.36 %, 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 cfi
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.'
