Press Cycle: Taxation Free Small Business Act, 1684

[Alfonso Velez]

I'm pleased that the Prime Minister has decided to step back from the extreme wing of his party and realize that businesses are allies to workers--not the enemy. I'm proud to announce that the L&D party will support this bill. 

While the core of this bill is a good one, I informed the Prime Minister that the L&D party will be moving several amendments to make this bill better. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister did not incorporate many of our proposed changes into the bill submitted to Parliament--but I look forward to the opportunity to test the will of Parliament on making a good bill much better and I'm grateful to him for incorporating some of our suggestions into the final draft.

The L&D party recognizes that small businesses often have more than 75 employees--particularly restaurant chains with multiple locations in a given region or family owned franchises. I also have grave concerns about exempting health care from these benefits. A large majority of healthcare providers are small businesses that employee a small team of doctors, nurses, dental hygienists, and receptionists. These places are pillars of community health and also provide essential employment to their communities. I am saddened that the Prime Minister did not adopt my proposed exemption for the Healthcare System in our talks--but I look forward to Parliament having a final say on this issue.

Even in opposition, the Liberty & Democracy Party will continue leading the way to ensure that our economy and our communities are served well by this Parliament. I look forward to supporting this bill--and I look forward to L&D continuing to lead the way to supporting small businesses by tabling vital amendments to this bill which I hope will be adopted by Parliament.