The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the new federal budget should take measures to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. CFIB made their case to the federal finance committee this week, outlining a number of measure's they'd like to see taken. Provincial affairs director Elliot Sims explains one of those recommendations focuses on possible changes to the Canadian Pension Plan.

"Right now the federal government is seriously considering CPP premium, which is a payroll tax that can be the hardest hitting for small businesses, especially those with employees. We're making the suggestion that the federal finance committee and federal government say no to any CPP hike at the federal level."

CPP isn't the only charge they're expressing concerns about. Sims says Employment Insurance rates are slated for significant reductions over the next few years, but those decreases may be at risk.

"What we're hearing are rumblings that those reductions may not go forth as previously promised, and that's concerning for small businesses, especially at a time when we see the economy slowing down."

He says last year the former federal government released a baseline count of red-tape faced by small businesses. Sims says that needs to be continued, noting only with an accurate depiction of regulatory burdens can the government begin to reduce the challenges for small businesses.

Another issue CIFB hopes to see addressed in the federal budget is how the transfer of family businesses takes place. Sims says under the current taxation system, a business sold to a family member will see more penalties than if it were sold to someone outside the family.

"If a business owner tries to pass their family business down to the next generation, they're actually penalized through the tax system far more harshly, than if they were to sell that business to someone they weren't related to. What we're asking for is to make it a level playing field for small business owners."

He says the CFIB measurements outlined 2015 was one of the most difficult years for small businesses in the last decade, and 2016 isn't shaping up to be much better. Sims hopes the federal government will take that into consideration, by ensuring the small business sector is taken into account in the next budget.