Nova Scotia's budget disappoints small business

HALIFAX, April 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Restaurants Canada and the hospitality industry are disappointed the Nova Scotia government did not lay out a comprehensive plan to eliminate the deficit, reduce the debt, and make the province a more competitive place to do business.

"The current government has only been in office a short time, but it must take concrete steps to ensure the province is a place where restaurants and other small businesses can grow and prosper," said Luc Erjavec, Restaurants Canada's Atlantic Vice President. "Nova Scotia has one of the most onerous tax regimes in the country and this is dampening economic activity and job creation."

Today's budget should have done more to cut the rate of government spending and included meaningful steps to reduce the high level of taxes in Nova Scotia.

"We are disappointed the scheduled HST decrease will not take place," said Erjavec. "Instead, every Nova Scotian will get a tax hike because Nova Scotia is one of only three provinces not to index its tax brackets. The only way government can grow the economy and create jobs is by fostering a better environment for business."

Restaurants Canada is committed to working with government on the Broten Tax Review and the implementation of the Ivany Report to ensure the province has a competitive and sustainable business climate for its members.

As Nova Scotia's third-largest private-sector employer, the restaurant industry directly employs nearly 31,900 people at more than 2,000 establishments. Twenty-two per cent of Canadians were first employed by the restaurant industry, making it the number one source of first jobs.

Restaurants Canada (formerly the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association) is a national association comprising 30,000 businesses in every segment of the foodservice industry, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and their suppliers.  Through advocacy, research, and member programs and services, Restaurants Canada is dedicated to helping its members in every community grow and prosper. 

Canada's restaurant industry directly employs more than 1.1 million Canadians, contributes $68 billion a year to the Canadian economy, and serves more than 18 million customers every day.

SOURCE: Restaurants Canada

Luc Erjavec, 902-209-0804 or [email protected]; Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, 1-800-387-5649, ext. 4254 or [email protected]