Even with the Olympics in full swing, Liberals are still hard at work today hosting a small business summit in Mississauga to examine what can be done to help small businesses create jobs now and into the future.
“Small business drives the Canadian economy, yet Mr. Harper has decided to raise payroll taxes and kill jobs at a critical point in our recovery,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, who is participating in today’s event. “The Liberal Party has a different approach – we want to look for ways to lower EI premiums for those who are trying to create jobs, as part of a long-term vision for sustainable job creation.”
Job creation proposals put forward by the Liberals include EI premium rebates for businesses that hire young Canadians, who suffer double the unemployment than the national average.
Today’s summit features two panels looking at both short- and long-term barriers to growth and job creation. Panelists include the presidents of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Retail Council of Canada, the Canadian Venture Capital Association and Sheridan College.
The president of ACE Canada, a charitable organization that mentors young entrepreneurs, is participating in recognition of the disproportionate effect the recession has had on youth employment. Rounding out the group are representatives of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Canada-China Business Council, speaking to the importance of growing our global markets.
A newly released report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business predicts that the Conservative government’s planned increase in EI premiums “could cost Canadians 200,000 jobs in the short term and reduce wages by 1.5 per cent over the longer term.”
Liberal Small Business Critic and Summit Host Navdeep Bains, who is hosting today’s forum, said Canadians want their government focused on creating jobs, not killing them.
“We expect to hear some good ideas today that we can take to our Canada at 150 Conference in Montreal and consider as part of our party platform,” said Mr. Bains, who also serves as Chair of Platform Development for the Liberal Party.
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