Canada’s small business owners are feeling the heat as Parliament takes a summer break without addressing their needs. Many entrepreneurs are struggling with rising costs and the uncertainty of the economic climate, and they want real support from the government.

Small Businesses Feeling Unsupported

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) recently reported that a large majority of small business owners do not feel backed by the federal government. In a survey they conducted, a staggering 73 percent of respondents expressed a lack of support from Ottawa, a situation that poses a serious concern for the economy. As government lawmakers are enjoying their summer hiatus, small business owners are still hard at work, grappling with high operating costs and an uncertain financial future.

Corinne Pohlmann, the CFIB’s executive vice-president of advocacy, shared that while Parliament might be on break, entrepreneurs cannot afford to take a break from their challenges. High fuel prices and increasing taxes are primary fears, with 58 percent of owners pointing to fuel costs as a significant stressor and nearly half expressing worry about how taxes are eating into their tight profit margins.

Concerns About Fuel and Taxes

The CFIB survey indicates that entrepreneurs are not just worrying about taxes and fuel. About 43 percent of business owners highlighted economic and political uncertainty as crucial hurdles they face. The pressures are mounting, and many small firms are struggling to stay afloat amidst these challenges.

While the federal government did implement some measures this spring, such as reducing Canada Pension Plan premiums, the CFIB criticized these efforts as insufficient. They believe that the changes failed to address the broader concerns that small businesses are confronting.

Confidence levels among business owners are also alarming. Over half of those surveyed—55 percent—said they would not recommend starting a business in the current environment, signaling a risk of an entrepreneurial slowdown in Canada.

A Call for Change

Jasmin Guenette, CFIB’s vice-president of national affairs, emphasized the need for fresh policies to spark business growth. According to her, small firms urgently need meaningful tax relief, reduced bureaucracy, and decisive action from the government to remain competitive.

The CFIB has outlined several asks for the federal government when Parliament reconvenes in the fall. Recommendations include slashing the federal small business tax rate from nine percent to six percent and increasing the small business deduction threshold to $700,000. They also propose creating a lower Employment Insurance premium rate for smaller employers and implementing a two-for-one strategy to cut down federal regulations.

With over 103,000 small and medium-sized businesses represented, the CFIB aims to make small business support a priority for the government. The stakes are high for these entrepreneurs as they attempt to navigate the complex economic landscape.

What this means for you

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Source: https://www.cjme.com/2026/06/22/small-businesses-say-ottawa-failed-to-deliver-support-during-spring-session/