Minister thanks the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the CFIB for their continued contribution to the CRA’s efforts to enhance services for business.

Ottawa, Ontario - Canada Revenue Agency

As Small Business Week 2014 draws to a close, the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, commits to continuing to cut red tape for small businesses, directed by comprehensive feedback from taxpayers. The CRA’s 2014 Red Tape Reduction consultations are ongoing now, in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Minister Findlay thanks the Chamber of Commerce and the CFIB for all the work they do for the small and medium business community in Canada. The partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and the CFIB is resulting in new levels of consultation and collaboration with small and medium businesses, their bookkeepers and accountants, and, most important, ongoing and concrete measures to cut red tape.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, with a network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, represents 200,000 businesses of all sizes, in all sectors of the economy, and in all regions. Together, the CRA and the various chambers across the country are holding roundtable sessions with small and medium businesses in every province and territory as part of the 2014 Red Tape Reduction Consultations. These consultations are an integral part of the CRA’s efforts to learn about the service enhancements businesses would like to see over the next few years.

With more than 109,000 small business owners from coast-to-coast, the CFIB provides a strong voice for the small business community to all three levels of government on a wide range of matters. Together with their members, the CFIB provides the CRA with feedback that continues to improve the Agency’s approach to compliance while decreasing regulatory burdens, so businesses can be competitive and innovative within their sectors.

The Government of Canada continues to work closely with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the CFIB on a variety of initiatives of common interest, including the 2014 Red Tape Reduction consultations.

Quick facts

• Most Canadian businesses–the engines of Canada’s economy–are small businesses; Industry Canada estimates that approximately 98% of Canadian companies have fewer than 100 employees.
• According to Industry Canada’s August 2013 Key Small Business Statistics, small businesses account for about 30% of Canada's GDP.
• The CRA launched the 2014 Red Tape Reduction consultations on October 8, seeking input and ideas from businesses, bookkeepers, accountants, and stakeholder associations. The consultations will be held in more than 20 cities from coast to coast to coast.

Quotes

“Our Government is working hard to create an environment that fosters business growth, and we are committed to helping small and medium-sized businesses succeed. During Small Business Week, I want to congratulate the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the CFIB for their dedicated service to the small business community. The constructive feedback provided by their members in the course of our consultations is invaluable to the CRA’s red tape reduction efforts. Cutting taxes, improving services, and doing away with red tape are just some of the ways we are making things better for businesses in Canada. I look forward to continuing our work together.”

- The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue