Amid the Alberta government’s recent release of its fall fiscal update, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) called for the use of the $2 billion surplus reported to help the province’s small businesses avail of a reduced tax rate and expanded fuel cost relief measures.
“A return to surplus is good news for Alberta, but it doesn't change the reality that many small businesses continue to face rising operating costs, shrinking margins, and growing uncertainty, particularly in the face of 50% tariffs,” said Kayode Southwood, CFIB’s senior policy analyst for Alberta, in a media release.
“Using Alberta’s economic windfall to reduce costs for entrepreneurs is one of the most effective ways government can support long-term economic growth and diversify the economy while strengthening main streets across the province,” added Keyli Loeppky, CFIB’s senior director for Alberta and Interprovincial affairs.
According to CFIB, its suggestions regarding the surplus would offer meaningful, permanent, and broad-based affordability relief to the province’s small businesses.
Lower small business taxes
CFIB explained that a decreased small business tax rate can help such businesses:
- Devote more earnings to hiring, training, buying equipment, raising wages, and expanding their businesses
- Assist in growing local economies
- Make the province more competitive in the long term
"The best way to strengthen Alberta's economy is to help the entrepreneurs who create jobs, invest locally, and keep our communities vibrant,” Southwood said in the news release. “This surplus presents an opportunity to provide direct, permanent relief that helps small businesses remain competitive and grow.”
Fuel cost relief
CFIB noted that providing targeted fuel cost relief can help small businesses meet rising transportation and energy expenses, which have disproportionately affected their supply chains.
“Small businesses are the backbone of Alberta's economy,” Loeppky said in CFIB’s media release.
More news from Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Here are some other recent news stories from CFIB.
While CFIB reported on July 23 that overall small business confidence shot up to 58.3 index points last month, CFIB noted that its survey ran from July 7–13, before the newest US tariff threats came to light.
On June 15, Corinne Pohlmann, CFIB executive vice president of advocacy, criticized the federal government’s lack of ambition for small businesses in the latest parliamentary session, despite its willingness to take swift action on big businesses’ large-scale projects.
On May 13, Jasmin Guenette, CFIB vice president of national affairs, expressed support for Senate Bill S‑239 as a “constructive step” to help improve internal trade across the country.
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