COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – Why small businesses matter

Some of you may know the story of Canadian entrepreneur Tobi Lütke. A German-born immigrant, Tobi came to Canada to pursue a software development apprenticeship. In the early 2000s, he started an online snowboard shop. Frustrated by the lack of e-commerce software, he created his own platform. Shopify was founded in 2006 and is now widely regarded as one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms.

A society that encourages new business, innovation, and entrepreneurial creativity benefits. Customer choice increases as more businesses enter the market. New businesses can develop creative solutions to local problems, introduce new products, services, and technologies. Small businesses often reflect local culture, values, and traditions. Supporting entrepreneurship encourages initiative, skill development, and opportunities. What’s more, small businesses create new jobs, generate new wealth, and build economic resilience.

A country that discourages entrepreneurship and business growth has the opposite effect.

In a survey, Canadian businesses responded to the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses survey identifying the high cost of doing business in Canada as the biggest deterrent for not starting a business. High costs, taxes and red tape discourage entrepreneurship.

The reality is, after more than a decade of Liberal government leadership, red tape, overhead and cost-of-living pressures continue to rise, making Canada a harder place to do business. Accordingly, only 18 percent of small business owners would recommend starting a business in today’s economy, while 50 percent would not recommend starting a business at all. The drafters of the report describe Canada as being in an “entrepreneurial drought” with disturbingly few Canadians entering the business market in the last four quarters.

While operating costs, a high tax burden and government red tape are cited as leading reasons. Economic uncertainty is also a significant concern. However, the Liberals have also failed to deliver a stable trading environment with our largest trading partner. Tariffs and ongoing tensions are undermining investment.

Small businesses also list increased crime as a major concern. Since 2014, shoplifting has increased by 66 percent, while businesses have spent more money dealing with theft, damage, and security. Consequently, that’s money that could be spent on wages, growth, and new hires. In order for new ideas, businesses, and companies to be fostered for expansion, they need freedom to invest, hire, and grow.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about rising fuel costs and the growing burden they are placing on Canadian businesses. I also outlined the Conservative plan to help reduce costs and strengthen our economy.

When Canadians elected Prime Minister Mark Carney to lead a minority government on April 28, 2025, diesel in Manitoba averaged $1.38 per litre. By early October 2026, that price had climbed to approximately $2.48 per litre, an increase of about $1.10 per litre, or nearly 80 percent.

These soaring fuel costs do not stop at the fuel pump. They ripple through the entire economy, driving up transportation, agriculture, and construction costs, raising the price of goods, and making it harder for Canadian businesses to compete and grow. Ultimately, Canadian families pay the price.

Canada should be leading the way in addressing the challenges, not standing on the sidelines. We have the resources, the skilled workforce, technology, and the expertise to be an energy powerhouse. Yet, 62 percent of respondents identified fuel costs as the leading cost constraint and number one expense for doing business in Canada.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We should create conditions that help entrepreneurs thrive, not burdening them with higher taxes and unnecessary red tape. Business owners who work hard should have the opportunity to earn a fair living, support their families and achieve the dream of homeownership. Hard work should pay off.

That is why Conservatives continue to put forward plans that would allow Canadian business owners to do better. Conservatives would lower fuel taxes, eliminate unnecessary red tape, unleash investment, and get Canadian resources to market so we can create jobs, strengthen our economy, and bring costs down for Canadians. We will also fight crime and create the conditions for entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed. We have the solutions.

That’s how we set Canadian entrepreneurs and businesses up for success: when Canadian businesses succeed, Canadians succeed.