KERNAGHAN: Small businesses need more support

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Small Business Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre) is calling on the federal government to provide more support for the province's small businesses than what was outlined in Tuesday’s federal budget.

“Ontario’s small businesses are in urgent need of meaningful cost relief,” said Kernaghan. “They were looking to this federal budget for real action, but instead, they received more of the same empty promises." The Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive, announced in budget 2024, was confirmed as recently as January 2025, but has now been cancelled. Ottawa’s $1 billion Regional Tariff Response Initiative also excludes over half of small businesses; deeming them too small, or in the wrong sector.

“Promises such as these, especially repeated ones, ought to be honoured and implemented. Our province’s small businesses are feeling the impact of Doug Ford’s jobs disaster. The federal government could have provided critical cost relief by lowering taxes and freeing up money to create jobs and invest in workers.”

“This lack of meaningful support is deeply disappointing. Both the Ford government and the federal government must step up immediately to deliver real, targeted support that helps small businesses survive and thrive.”

Ontario New Democrats will continue fighting to uplift workers, while protecting and creating good jobs within the province.