The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the 23 per cent increase to the carbon tax on April 1st, April Fool’s Day, is no joke for small business owners.
The CFIB says in a news release that 56 per cent will be forced to raise prices to accommodate the tax and 45 per cent will need to freeze or reduce wages.
When it comes to the environment, 33 per cent the tax reduces the ability of small and medium-sized businesses to invest in green initiatives.
CFIB President, Dan Kelly, says, “Ottawa has not delivered on promises to return a portion of carbon tax revenues to small businesses.”
He explains that $2.5 billion in rebates have yet to be delivered, however, Kelly was pleased to hear a comment from Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland that there is some good news on the horizon for small businesses.

CFIB continues to push for fairness for small businesses and urges the government to:
– Drop the planned carbon tax hike on April 1.
– Immediately return the $2.5 billion owed to all small businesses since 2019.
– Scrap the idea of returning the SME allocation only to “emissions-intensive, trade-exposed” businesses in favour of a simple rebate for all SMEs.
– Reverse the plan to reduce the SME share of carbon tax revenue from 9% to 5% in 2024 with annual rebates rising to the share of the tax paid by SMEs.
– Pass Bill C-234 as originally proposed to exempt natural gas and propane used for on-farm activities, including grain drying and heating farm buildings.
– Exempt all heating fuels, including natural gas.