NS: Tax changes hurt businesses, says CFIB

[AMHERST, NS] – Businesses on the Nova Scotia side of the border stand to lose out to their counterparts in New Brunswick because of recent changes to taxation, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. A spokeswoman with the CFIB said consumers in Nova Scotia are paying more than most other Canadians.

“You’ll probably see consumers go to New Brunswick,” Atlantic Vice-President of CFIB Leanne Hachey said. “Especially on the tax front.”

Most small business owners pay more to run their business in Nova Scotia than owners in other provinces.

The CFIB created the Small Business Provincial Tax Index, a study that examined Canada’s provinces and showed how taxes affect them.

Nova Scotia was third from the bottom, while New Brunswick was the second-best in the country. Because Amherst is situated so close to the New Brunswick border, people could go there to save money, which in the end would affect small businesses in Amherst.

New Brunswick doesn’t pay as much either, which could mean opportunities to grow businesses in Nova Scotia could be lost. According to the CFIB, unless Nova Scotia chooses to change the amount business owners are paying, the province could lose businesses instead of creating more jobs for Nova Scotians.

“Things must change,” Hachey said. “We want to be at the top of the list.”