Chamber seeks apology

Tax changes make ‘businesses look bad’

Members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce say proposed tax changes for businesses by the federal government are casting business people in a negative light, and the finance minister should apologize.

“Whenever a process from government starts to position business people and the business community in such a negative light, it is an absolute disaster from a communications perspective and I think an apology from our federal minister to the Canadian business community would be appropriate,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

His comment came Saturday after members of the Canadian Chamber put their concerns directly to Finance Minister Bill Morneau at their annual meeting in Fredericton.

“Characterizing the last 45 years of Canadian tax policy as loopholes is insulting to businesses that have worked within the rules in good faith to build their businesses, to save for retirement, and sometimes just to keep their doors open,” said Krista Ross, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

There was a round of applause when Morneau was asked if he would consider an independent royal commission to take a broader look at tax reform, but Morneau said the government has been talking about tax reform since the summer of 2015, and expects the current input will lead to changes in what’s being proposed.