Cost of doing business, taxes and labour policies: The top three concerns for small business owners as the New Brunswick legislature resumes

Moncton, October 16, 2023 – Seven in ten of New Brunswick’s small businesses (76%) are saying the cost of doing business is their top concern, followed by taxes (70%) and labour policies (53%) according to recent data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

“Cost pressures and taxes are making it harder for small businesses to lower the debt they accumulated over the pandemic,” said Louis-Philippe Gauthier, CFIB’s vice-president in Atlantic Canada. “The provincial government should demonstrate it’s listening by not adding new costs and providing targeted relief.” 

CFIB recommends that government increase the small business tax threshold and lower the small business tax rate itself. If the New Brunswick Government provided tax relief this fall, seven in ten small businesses would use those savings to pay down debt.  

Small businesses in the province also expressed support for extending programs aimed at incentivising older workers to remain in the workplace longer (60%), enhanced skills development in specific trades and occupational fields in high school (81%), increased accessibility of housing (72%), increased accessibility of childcare services (83%) and ensuring government programs and benefits do not disincentivize people from working (83%).

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Louis-Philippe Gauthier
(506) 961-5706 
louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca  

Methodology: 
The data referenced in this news release was gathered through the Your Voice September 2023 CFIB online, controlled-access survey – Final Results, Active dates: September 7-21, 2023. Results based on responses from 2,687 CFIB members who are owners of Canadian independent businesses, from all sectors and regions of the country. For comparison purposes, a probability samples with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-1.9%, 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 97,000 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 cfib.ca.