Committed. Committed. Vocal.

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1 RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal FLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STR Effective. Effective. ARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENT Committed. Committed. Vocal. Vocal. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESEN VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENT SIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. LUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed ESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUE ALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPE DEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VA DENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. IND TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED PENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECT VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL. RESPECTED. VALUED. INDEPENDENT. TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VALUED. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. INFLUENTIAL RESPECTED. Committed TENACIOUS. REPRESENTATIVE. STRONG. VISIONARY. Effective. Committed. Vocal. FLUENTIAL. NARY.

2 REPRESENTATIVE.

3 VOCAL Whose opinions count when governments make decisions? At one time, the views of entrepreneurs were considered irrelevant. Those days are gone, thanks to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). If I was limited to joining one business organization only, it would be CFIB. CFIB is listened to and represents a huge and important portion of the Canadian economy. A 26-year CFIB member, Beamsville, Ontario CFIB speaks on behalf of small and medium sized business owners across Canada. Since 1971, we ve been representing the interests of Canadian-owned, privately held enterprises to federal, provincial and local governments, as well as to banks, labour unions, government agencies and others in a voice that is strong, credible, and effective. Our hard-won victories have reshaped the economic landscape for our members.

4 Membership Profile 7 out of 10 members have been in business for more than six years. Over 9% of members have been in business for two years or less. 6 out of 10 members have been in business for more than 11 years. 25% of member firms have between 10 and 50 employees. 7 out of 10 member firms have fewer than 10 employees. Fewer than 5% of member firms have more than 50 employees. EFFECTIVE.

5 By PROVINCE CFIB represents over 105,000 members across Canada: NWT AND NUNAVUT <1% YUKON <1% BRITISH COLUMBIA 10% QUEBEC 23% NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 2% ALBERTA 9% PEI 1% NOVA SCOTIA 5% SASKATCHEWAN 4% MANITOBA 3% ONTARIO 38% NEW BRUNSWICK 5% By Major Sector CFIB members are found in all the major sectors of the economy: Agriculture 6% Retail 29% Primary Industries 2% Finance, Insurance & Realty 3% Manufacturing 12% Business Services 8% Construction 11% Healthcare & Education 4% Transport and Communications 4% Food & Accomodation 7% Wholesale 7% Personal Services 7%

6 REPRESENTATIVE Our members are CFIB. They define our goals and determine our political action agenda through a democratic voting system. CFIB operates on a one member, one vote principle, so that every member has an equal voice. We make sure our members have a place at the table with big governments, big labour and big business and in doing so, we ensure that no enterprise is too small, too remote, or too unique to have a say. Operating in all regions of Canada, our members represent the full range of enterprise in Canada from the sole proprietor running a graphic arts business from their home to the engineer who turned an idea into a high-tech powerhouse employing hundreds of people, and from the brand new start-up that has found its niche to the fourth-generation family operation that has been serving its community for more than a century. CFIB also constitutes the largest self-employed organization in Canada and generally has more members in any given industry than most sectoral organizations. While some have been members for over 30 years, new members continue to swell our ranks. Is CFIB right for your business? Consider the comments of a few of our members: Without you, we in the small business sector would have no voice on the issues that affect us. As a small businessman, I need an organization that can stand up for me. I am proud to be a member of CFIB. My annual membership fees are the best investment I make each year in terms of consulting fees and support. INFLUENTIAL Entrepreneurship has thrived in Canada, in large part because businesses across the country have joined CFIB, gaining a conduit to government decision makers and creating a catalyst for positive change. We strengthen the entrepreneurial culture by promoting and protecting a system of competitive free enterprise. With over 105,000 members, who collectively employ 1.2 million Canadians and contribute $75 billion to the GDP, we are the largest individual membership business organization in Canada, and the largest per capita independent business association in the world. When we speak, governments listen.

7 INDEPENDENT. INDEPENDENT CFIB is non-partisan. We work with elected officials from all parties to advance our members agenda. One hundred per cent of our funding comes from our business owner members we don t accept money from governments or large corporations which means our sole allegiance is to our members. Through regular surveys and face-to-face discussions, we determine their views, needs and challenges. We take that information to all levels of government, and to other key decision-makers in the world of finance, labour and media, to educate and influence them on the priorities, problems and positions of our membership.

8 PROVEN CFIB was formed in 1971 as an advocacy organization for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Determined to strengthen the democratic system, promote free enterprise, and prevent abuse of power by government agencies, public service monopolies, corporate giants and trade unions, we have never accepted failure as an option. We have achieved our goals through: Persuasive advocacy on behalf of Canada s entrepreneurial sector Influencing legislative changes by bringing the views of entrepreneurs to key government officials Top-notch research into problems affecting small business Nationwide visibility which keeps the small business sector at the forefront of economic discussions Educating members on government programs and business management issues EFFECTIVE Our actions in the areas of taxation, labour law and public sector spending have brought real dollars-andcents benefits to our members, helping them prosper. We have achieved thousands of victories, ranging from helping individual members settle their tax issues, to changes in legislation that affect every firm in the country. Through the years, some of our greatest national achievements have included: After a sustained CFIB campaign, the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption was increased to $750,000 in This was the first increase since CFIB succeeded in having the measure introduced in By pushing for reductions in red tape consistently one of our members top three concerns CFIB got a commitment from the federal government to reduce paper burden by 20 per cent. In BC a 40 per cent reduction has been achieved. Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Ontario, as well as the City of Winnipeg, have all signed on to paper burden reduction initiatives for small business. A relentless 12-year campaign improved Employment Insurance fairness by highlighting the growing surplus and insisting premiums be brought into line with program costs. EI premiums have been reduced every year since 1994.

9 INFLUENTIAL. The proposed mergers of four of Canada s chartered banks were defeated in 1998, largely due to CFIB and small business opposition. CFIB convinced government to introduce a special federal small business corporate tax rate in Originally 12 per cent for the first $200,000 of corporate income, the rate is dropping and the threshold has increased, as CFIB has fought to improve the measure. CFIB worked hard across the country to see small business rates introduced provincially as well.

10 VITAL As important as the positive changes won by CFIB are, the thousands of negative policies that have been avoided because CFIB and its members were there to fight mean even more. Our members actively participate in our campaigns and the strength of that grassroots network is what makes CFIB so effective. The more members we have, the more we are able to do your business should be involved. VALUED Membership in CFIB delivers tangible benefits to entrepreneurs benefits you can enjoy, too. First and always foremost, we give voice to members issues. When you join, your business gains the clout, impact and scale that come with being part of the largest independent business organization in Canada. There is strength in numbers, and we make your views count. Our members have access to free expert advice and support in dealing with bureaucrats, government agencies and banks. Each of our offices across the country has a Member Services Department staffed with highly knowledgeable counsellors who provide answers and troubleshooting on issues affecting small business. If you have a problem or a question, give us a call and put us to work for you. We also offer specific initiatives to help members save money, become more competitive and grow their businesses. These include reduced-fee programs with affiliated partners for merchant credit cards, banking, phone and other services. Our members also benefit from our information resources, business tips and a business directory.

11 VISIONARY We are committed to taking entrepreneurs into an ever-stronger future through our work to ensure a fair and competitive economic environment in Canada. As always, we will represent our members views in the areas of taxes, debt, regulations, the labour environment, and Employment Insurance as well as in emerging areas in the changing business landscape. Regardless of what the future economy brings, CFIB will remain true to our principles, our mission and our members. Join our fight against unfair laws and unneeded regulations, and to keep good proposals from failing for lack of support. Don t just hope for a better future for your firm; take direct action to protect your business investment and become a member today. To join, or for more information please visit or call COMMITTED.

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