Business groups, entrepreneurs mobilize to block tax changes

Share

Rage is turning into action as a firestorm of opposition to proposed federal tax changes gains force among entrepreneurs and business organizations.

In July, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced several proposed tax changes. Small-business owners across the country have denounced them, saying they will have a devastating impact on their enterprises. The proposals seek to eliminate or restrict tax-saving measures such as sharing income with family members, saving passive investment income in a corporation and converting a corporation's income into capital gains.

Dan Kelly, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), said his organization is working around the clock to mobilize local business owners to pressure their local MPs.

Explainer: What Canada's new tax-planning proposals mean for private businesses

Related: How much will Morneau's proposed tax changes cost small business? We do the math

"This is going to be won or lost by the degree of heat that Members of Parliament, particularly Liberal Members of Parliament, feel in their ridings. That's really where we're focusing our time and attention."

Mr. Kelly said the issue comes at a time when shifting policies from other levels of government are increasing the cost of doing business through measures such as minimum-wage hikes and carbon taxes.

"The degree of anger to their governments is close to an all-time high," he said.

The Department of Finance is accepting feedback on the proposals until Oct. 2. At his July 18 news conference announcing the tax proposals, Mr. Morneau said the government wants to prevent business owners from using tax strategies that aren't available to other Canadians.

"This isn't about a business not paying its share. It's about people using a corporate structure to shield their income and to gain a tax advantage," he said. "We want to hear from Canadians about how these policies will affect them, where we have it right and where we can improve. … These are big changes. We know it will be an adjustment for many Canadians."

Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said the consultation period needs to be extended so people can be better informed about the proposed changes and make themselves heard.

He said the group is working with a coalition of businesses and groups across the country to mobilize and plan its opposition. He says he can't recall a time when so many people were so irate over a specific government policy. "It is genuinely a popular revolt that you're seeing in communities across the country," said Mr. Beatty, adding that the Chamber of Commerce will utilize its network of 450 local chambers to reach out to MPs.

There are also 1.3 million businesses in Canada ranging from farms to restaurants to carpenters to retailers.

Mr. Kelly said petition-style campaigns, advisories to CFIB members to contact their MPs directly and video content are being used in an attempt to persuade the government to change its mind.

"We tried not to react too heavily too quickly because we needed to make sure that we understood what the implications were to our members. That's taken some time," he said.

Several weeks ago, STEP Canada, an association of trust and estate professionals, held an all-day meeting in Toronto to develop the framework for multiple submissions to the Department of Finance. Among the 70 attendees were representatives from Advocis, the Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, Canadian Real Estate Association and the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.

Fiona Cook, executive director of the Grain Growers of Canada, said the organization is very concerned about the issue and will take some time to do an economic impact analysis.

"We're really going to push the government to back off of this for now and work with us on what the problems are," she said. "Obviously, we're very concerned. This really hits the family farm and succession planning, which is a big deal for farming in Canada. How do you pass on to the next generation?"

The organization is putting together an internal working group to create a formal response to the tax proposals and it is reaching out to other business stakeholders. Ms. Cook is hoping the government will pause with the process, giving farmers – who are busy now doing their summer harvests – a chance to respond. "This is probably one of the most complex changes in the tax we've seen in a long time."

David Taras, professor of communication studies and the Ralph Klein chair in media studies at Mount Royal University, said the Liberals are paying a steep political price over this issue and handing Conservatives a platform on a silver platter. Indeed, Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt has been meeting with small-business owners and says she plans to raise awareness about the issue.

"Any time a politician raises taxes, especially among a group of wealthier, better-educated, more attentive voters – people who are likely to vote and likely to participate and likely to give money – there's usually a penalty to pay for that," Mr. Taras said.

"I think there's a general understanding that these Canadian taxes have now hit Scandinavian-type levels and basically handed to the Tories a perfect issue. 'I will lower taxes.' As soon as you hand that issue to your opponent that they become the ones who believe in lower taxes, boy, that's an incredible weapon at the ballot box."