The formidable Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses large and small, is taking on the federal government in Ottawa over proposed tax changes that could impact sectors ranging from farmers to medical doctors.
The Chamber, which claims that it has been the voice of Canadian business since 1925, invited federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau to speak at its recent Annual Meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick to address the concerns many business owners and executive have about Ottawa’s proposed tax reforms. However, after the speech on Sunday, Chamber Chief Executive Officer Perrin Beatty criticized Minister Morneau and the broader Liberal Government.
“We're very much worried about what the impact this would be on family farmers, small business people down the main street of all communities in Canada, and what it would do in terms of discouraging job creation, growth in the economy, and so on,” said Mr. Beatty. “And we're very, very concerned about the process they've followed. It's not been listening, it's been one-way transmission.”
Mr. Beatty went so far as to say that the Chamber plans to “double down” on its fight against the proposed tax changes by working with local Chambers of Commerce across Canada to gather more feedback from small business owners.
“The minister can cut off the consultations, but he can't prevent us from giving a voice to Canadian business,” he said.
The federal government has said it plans to accept comments on its proposed tax changes until October 2. Over the weekend, delegates at the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting in Fredericton approved a resolution to call on Ottawa to extend its consultation period. It passed with 98.8% support.
For his part, Minister Morneau told the Chamber audience that the tax reforms won't harm businesses directly. ``We don't want to`, in any way, jeopardize the strength and the health of the small business sector," said the Finance Minister.
He also said that the proposed changes are the result of ``serious deliberations`` on the part of the government, including a review from a council of experts who have been looking into the changes for about a year.
"We are looking at how we can have the biggest impact on tax fairness" he said.
