CFIB president in Vancouver to talk CPP ahead of national finance ministers meeting

VANCOUVER, June 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) president Dan Kelly is in Vancouver today, for a meeting with Finance Minister Michael de Jong.

Kelly will be joined by Laura Jones, CFIB executive vice-president, and Samantha Howard, director of provincial affairs.

At the top of their agenda is potential expansion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), which will be debated by finance ministers from across the country in Vancouver on June 20-21.

"As our national economy continues to struggle, it is imperative that policy decisions support the small business community and their employees," said Kelly. "As governments look to small business owners to create jobs, a payroll tax hike in this climate would be devastating."

CFIB is in the midst of a cross-Canada effort to educate the public on the facts and risks associated with CPP expansion. British Columbia is the tenth province Kelly has visited to discuss the topic over the past year.  In BC, 66 per cent of small business owners reported a CPP hike would increase the pressure to freeze or cut salaries, and 31 per cent said they would have to lay off staff.

CFIB is Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses with 109,000 members across every sector and region.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business

To arrange an interview with Dan Kelly, please contact Samantha Howard at 604-684-5325, or [email protected]