According to a recent Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey, the biggest challenge that Saskatchewan business owners are facing in 2024 is skyrocketing costs. Brianna Solberg, CFIB Director of Provincial Affairs, says on top of that, 17 per cent of small businesses are considering closure. She says as provincial budget discussions approach, the government has an opportunity to help small businesses ‘weather the storm’.

“The provincial government can show small business owners that it recognizes the struggles they’re facing by providing affordability relief such as reducing the Small Business Corporate Income Tax back to zero per cent, or at least raising it at 1 per cent until most businesses have had the chance to recover,” she states. “Some of our other recommendations include removing the PST on dine-in restaurant meals and property insurance, avoiding PST expansions, and also we’ve heard from many businesses that crime and safety concerns have become a big issue.”

In recent years, crime and safety concerns have become a large expenditure for small businesses, so CFIB is calling on the province to introduce a ‘securing small business’ rebate program. This would pay for things like security camera, fences, upgraded locks, and damages resulting from break-ins and vandalism. Solberg says these actions would hugely benefit small firms in Saskatchewan, especially those that are struggling to pay off pandemic related debt.