Proposed tax changes are going to hurt small business, according to a tax partner at Belliveau Veinotte in Bridgewater.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau has proposed changes to the federal income tax system.
He says tax reforms for business owners who incorporate their companies are needed because they pay lower taxes while other people have higher tax bills.
Paul MacNeil says government is trying to pull a fast one.
“They’re trying to leave the general public with the impression that all small business owners are making big money and we’re not. He’s also saying that these rules apply to only the wealthy, but they don’t they apply to everybody.”
MacNeil says Morneau is trying to be fair but he doesn’t recognize the challenges of being self-employed.
“Self-employed people do not get paid vacation time, they don’t get paid sick benefits, we don’t get medical plans, we don’t get pensions paid for, we don’t get EI, we don’t get maternity or paternity benefits.”
MacNeil says the proposed changes will threaten many local jobs.
The chamber of commerce is hosting a public consultation on the issue tomorrow at 10 a.m at the Days Inn Bridgewater.
MP Bernadette Jordan will also discuss the proposed changes at a town hall meeting in Lunenburg at 7 p.m tomorrow at the fire hall.