The most idiotic thing I have seen recently is about foreign workers. We spent tons of money to get them, 3 years contract at a time. Now in many regions, we are required to pay them +20% compared to the average wage of the region, I believe. For us, it doesn't mean +20% as we already pay more. But just the fact having to pay them more than the rest of the crowd is stupid and put us in a delicate situation with our other workers.

 

Maybe, but I could also argue from the opposite point of view. Instead of paying foreign workers more, simply offer 20% higher pay to Canadians that should then attract more Canadian workers in the first place.

Many of our businesses like to bottom feed best that they can get away with, so maybe this is a not so subtle way of messaging them what they should be doing. There is no particular reason for foreign workers to be here in Canada with a couple possible exceptions: 1) a critical talent that simply is not available here, so that a 3 year contract/secondment makes sense, and 2) seasonal work, mostly agriculture, for time sensitive needs, e.g. all apples ripen at the same time and need to be picked within a few weeks.

We have 7% unemployment here. Not all of that 7% is incapable of, or too lazy to, work, or don't have the skills to perform a certain job, or are unwilling to re-locate for a job.

 

Maybe, but I could also argue from the opposite point of view. Instead of paying foreign workers more, simply offer 20% higher pay to Canadians that should then attract more Canadian workers in the first place.

Many of our businesses like to bottom feed best that they can get away with, so maybe this is a not so subtle way of messaging them what they should be doing. There is no particular reason for foreign workers to be here in Canada with a couple possible exceptions: 1) a critical talent that simply is not available here, so that a 3 year contract/secondment makes sense, and 2) seasonal work, mostly agriculture, for time sensitive needs, e.g. all apples ripen at the same time and need to be picked within a few weeks.

We have 7% unemployment here. Not all of that 7% is incapable of, or too lazy to, work, or don't have the skills to perform a certain job, or are unwilling to re-locate for a job.

Negative. As I wrote we are already above average. Not impossible tio give that raise to everybody. We are talking about specialized skills as machinists with serious shortage that are ok to woek night time. We would prefer to move the business rather than dealing with this nonsense. Amazon did it very well in its own way. The drama was short lived.

 

When Canadian PM was asked about attracting investment to Canada he said our biggest asset is that 50% of Toronto is foreign-born. What can go wrong under such leadership?

 

He doesn't know.
Even at Brookfield he knew the better investment opportunities were outside Canada.

That's why they brought him in, former central banker at 2 different G7 countries... that can open a lot of doors as you build other countries infrastructure.
FYI, I hold BIP and other Brookfields precisely because they're good at these foreign infrastructure projects, and I cheered the hiring of Carney, for this reason.

 

If you have a small business in Canada, you can't even get Canada Post to deliver ads to your local area.

This government is anti-business. It permeates everything they do.


If the government cared about small business, they'd say "No Canada Post, you must deliver flyers"
You want independant media? The government will block your links on social media so you can't grow your audience, but you can apply to their media fund.

I wonder how much the media fund gives media companies they don't like. I imagine Rebel News (likely one of the most well known anti-Liberal media companies) gets from them.
To be fair Ezra would likely refuse to apply just to claim he doesn't get government money

 

This government is anti-business. It permeates everything they do.

Its almost like they want to kill business in Canada.....

 

UBI will be required to pay unemployed people whose jobs AI eliminated.

A higher degree of socialism is guaranteed in the AI future.

Income taxes will be replaced by other forms of taxation.

 

Well, truth be told, we are in dire need for a new tax scheme.... and monetary system... introduce a new digital currency that can be inflated as needed..... <-- that is really what we have established as the new norm anyways.....

As it relates to Canada and our high tax rates ... no one or no company wants to pay taxes. Yes they will eventually all move to the lower taxed places. This is normal and expected. We dont seem to understand this in Ottawa....

 

LOL you guys are dreaming. This is such a silly old Conservative talking point. No, Canadian small businesses aren't fleeing Canada for the US.

First of all, it's not even really a choice for most people. Unless you have American citizenship, you won't be going / relocating to the US. People keep dreaming that they will, but they won't. I've heard so many people "dreaming" of moving to the US .... ha!

Try moving to the US and please report back. How are you going to get in?

Second, your healthcare costs will bankrupt you in the US. I both worked for a medium-sized business and ran a small business in the US. The healthcare and other important costs (such as liability insurance) will ruin you. Plus, it's a very litigious society, so you'll have higher legal costs. You're going to need more lawyers, more insurance, and very expensive healthcare ... it's particularly expensive for small businesses.

Thirdly, there are only a few jurisdictions in the US which are vibrant business locations. And taxes in those states tend to be quite high, really not much different than operating in Canada.

And if you think red tape is bad in Canada, wait until you deal with the IRS. Again, I've run a small business in the US. It's unpleasant -- and scary -- dealing with the IRS. They are dysfunctional. In comparison, dealing with the CRA is relatively pleasant. The processes are more straightforward. I've had my taxes reviewed & audited by both the CRA and the IRS, and everything was much smoother with the CRA.