Board of Trade releases pre-budget proposal

The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is the first to present recommendations for the upcoming 2013-2014 federal budget.

It wants the government to maintain its target of a balanced budget in 2015-2016, as well as improve Canada’s productivity and prioritize the structuring of public infrastructure projects.

Read: Can Canada balance its budget?

“Our recommendations reflect the continuing tough global economic situation,” says Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.

He adds, “Canadian businesses have to deal with the economic slowdown among our main trading partners [and] also with weak performance in productivity and a shrinking labour pool.”

Leblanc also says the government needs to stay the course for a balanced budget in 2015-2016 to regain some budgetary flexibility. In his view, officials can do this by controlling spending and increasing the government’s productivity, rather than by increasing the tax burden.”

They should also prioritize initiatives that will improve business productivity and support our economic growth, says Leblanc

He adds, “It needs to review and reinforce support measures to research and innovation, continue to support businesses on international markets, reduce red tape for small business and encourage entrepreneurship.”

Read: CFIB exposes “ridiculous” red tape rules

Staff

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