Ed Fast Hosts Roundtable with Small Business Owners in Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon

September 15, 2017For Immediate ReleaseAbbotsford, BC – On Friday September 15th, the Member of Parliament for Abbotsford and Shadow Minster for Environment and Climate Change held a roundtable with a cross section of small business owners, professionals and physicians from Abbotsford.A policy paper released on July 18, 2017 by Federal Finance Minister Morneau announced a series of proposals that impact private corporations and their shareholders. Minister Morneau is planning to change how business taxes apply to many incorporated Canadian small businesses and will represent a major tax hike for small businesses and professionals.“The recent proposed tax changes will adversely affect the hard working small business owners, farmers and professionals that work and live in Abbotsford. The time to champion them is needed now more than ever” said MP Fast, “I can safely say that this issue has really hit a nerve and has generated an incredible response. It is clear my constituents are upset and are asking for support to stop Trudeau’s nonsensical tax crab.”MP Fast chaired a full and lively meeting and heard a range of concerns and ideas. The reoccurring theme was that small business owners and professionals feel the government has “changed the goal posts” and ushered in a sense of “uncertainty”. One small business owner shared how he felt the Liberals have started “class warfare” on job creators. Further to that he said, “I thought government should be working to unify Canadians not divide them”.Many that sat around the table raised the concerns at how these tax changes will not only affect the financial planning they have done for their family but will also limit the amount of people they can hire. These tax changes will limit job growth and raise taxes on consumers.MP Fast will bring what he has heard back to Ottawa to share with his colleagues and will be writing to the Minister of Finance sharing the concerns of his constituents. MP Fast closed the meeting by reiterating that, “these tax changes are the most unfriendly to small business in forty years, and it’s unfortunate that Justin Trudeau has not been more responsive to the reasonable concerns of citizens”.-30-For more information contact:Mike MurrayExecutive Assistant to MP Fast (604)557-7888