CFIB survey shows tax as top concern for Edmundston-to-Woodstock small businesses

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A whopping 97 per cent of the Edmundston-Woodstock region's small and medium-sized business owners say the tax burden is the most pressing issue facing their firm, according to a 2008 survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). This is, by far, the highest level of concern in the province.

Of the 1,417 small businesses that responded to the province-wide survey, 151 operate in the Edmundston-Woodstock region.

"When nearly every business owner says tax is their biggest problem, it is very worrisome," said Andreea Bourgeois, New Brunswick's Director of Provincial Affairs, adding, "New Brunswick no longer has the edge on the tax front that it once had."

New Brunswick business owners had been expecting to be operating in one of the most competitive provinces in the country, but the province's 2007 budget suddenly reversed course and raised taxes across the board.

"Edmundston-Woodstock's families and businesses have been feeling the pinch ever since."

A recent CFIB report, "The Hidden Tax Burden" revealed that New Brunswick businesses alone spend about $280 million each year to act as governments' tax agents. This estimate includes money spent to prepare, compute and remit taxes to all levels of government.

Bourgeois said the province's current tax review is a chance to change this race to the bottom.

"While most provincial governments have taken steps to reduce tax to help offset rising costs, like energy and fuel, we've seen little tax relief here," Bourgeois said.

"The tax review is the best opportunity to date to regain our competitiveness within the country," Bourgeois said, "and we have high hopes from it".