MEDIA ADVISORY - Pension payroll tax hikes back on national agenda

CFIB available to comment in advance of Ontario budget

TORONTO, May 1, 2014 /CNW/ - Following media reports that half of Canada's ten provinces are participating in talks on Ontario's misguided mandatory provincial pension plan, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is available to comment on the dire implications this could have for small business, working Canadians, and the economy. The plan is expected to be unveiled in today's Ontario budget.

"The federal government rejected a CPP increase because only 18 per cent of working Canadians saw it as one of the best ways for government to help Canadians save for retirement," said CFIB president Dan Kelly. "These provinces are going against common sense – and contrary to the wishes of Canadians – by pursuing a plan that will be worse than a CPP hike."

Reports suggest that British Columbia and Alberta may have joined discussions that previously included Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. The plan, which would be administered by an arms-length Ontario government agency, would have all the negative impacts of a CPP increase, but could also introduce other problems if it were linked to existing public sector pensions.

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 call Gisele Lumsden at 416-222-8022 or via email at [email protected]