BRIEF FROM THE BROOKS AND
DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
While Canada has weathered the past economic downturn better than
most countries, recent news coming out of the United States and the European
Union, have shown the potential for greater impact on Canada of any
international fiscal crisis. Although Canada is in the middle (38.4% of GDP) of
the rest of the world, on the scale of total government spending, it is important
that the government of Canada develop a clear plan to avoid any further deficit
accumulation.
The Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce would like to present
the following ideas for consideration in developing new strategies and action
plans to direct the Canadian economy:
General fiscal discipline and management
1. Fiscal responsibility legislation must focus on controlling
expenditures, not just balancing the budget. Currently there is no limit on
spending as long as there is revenue to cover the increases.
2. Fiscal responsibility legislation must be specific enough not
to allow loopholes.
3. Fiscal responsibility legislation must focus on long term sustainability
4. Publish (and maintain) a 5 year projection of spending and
revenue.
5. Put the brakes on spending growth - limit spending increases
to the annual inflation rate for the next 5
years.
6. Enshrine limits on government spending. Rein in deficits and
realize the importance of sustainable government spending. Implement a strong,
consistently applied spending cap.
7. Legislate allocation of unexpected increases in revenue to pay
down accumulated debt, and after that return those unexpected increases to the
taxpayer in tax cuts.
8. Do not raise taxes. Raising taxes has a more harmful effect on
the economy than the equivalent $ for $
reduction in public spending.
9. Adopt and incorporate technological advances which will
improve government operations and
administrative productivity.
Small and medium sized businesses (SME”s)
1. Develop and support innovation for SME’s
2. Continue with the commitment to reduce the corporate income
tax
Skilled workforce for small and medium sized businesses
1. Remove barriers to labour mobility - within Canada, and from
outside Canada
2. Continue to review payroll taxes - specifically the level of
EI insurance premiums, and implement the
promised EI hiring credit.
3. Tax relief for SME’s is a
better option for SME’s than minimum wage hikes.
4. Ensure Canada’s personal
tax system is conducive to attracting and retaining skilled workers from other countries.
5. Develop more comprehensive
English literacy and language programs for new immigrants
6. Improve visa / work permit
processing times
7. Speed processing of
applicants documentation in most-needed occupations
8. Develop or amend
legislation that will allow businesses to tap into older workers. For example remove disincentives
to return to the workforce if the worker has retired before age 65.
9. Develop an ‘approved employer’ criteria/list with respect to
processing TFW’s - similar to the NEXUS
system between Canada and the US
Agriculture
1. Continue to emphasize the elimination of tariffs
2. Continue to work on trade
enhancement, and in particular to recapture some of the markets closed
to Canada
3. Develop and support
strategies to ensure efficient transportation of goods for export.
4. Continue to develop high
standards for food safety, and take on an international role to promote and
develop these standards. Continue to promote food traceability.
Environment/Energy
1. Review current legislation and adopt new legislation that promotes
a shift from waste disposal to resource
recovery
2. Increase efficiencies in environment regulation processes. Complete
a review of product review standards, and if the product review meets the
standardized criteria, then this is sufficient
for all regulators/jurisdictions.
Finance
1. Track and manage public sector pensions and retiree benefits
liabilities, and ensure any shortfall
is included in the fiscal budgets.
2. Allow severance income to be transferred into an RRSP without
impacting the RRSP room
As a member of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, and the Canadian
Chamber of Commerce we would also direct you to their policy and advocacy
efforts. The Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce has been actively
involved in the policy reviews and adoptions with the Alberta Chambers of
Commerce, and is just now working to prepare for the Alberta Chambers of Commerce
position at the CCC AGM, Sept. 17 - 19.