Page 8 - LBMAO - Reporter - Sept-Oct - web optimized

Message from the PRESIDENT

the challenges in owning a business

david campbell W hy would you want to start a business today? will have to take a wage reduction yourself; not pay
LBMAO President yourself a dividend at the end of the year if you make
1. To use your skills to make a good living to a profit; and work 75 hours a week instead of the 60
support your family. you now work.
2. To provide a service to your community. Every store owner I have talked to in the past
3. To provide good jobs for people in your couple of months has expressed their deep concern
community. on the added costs being thrust on them in such a
4. To contribute to the tax base both federally short length of time. Not one suggested that their
and provincially and provide resources to fund workers shouldn’t be paid fairly; however, with the
infrastructure, social programs and universal rapid changes in both the federal and provincial
health and welfare programs. legislation being proposed, all are worried about
5. Through hard work and good management, their futures and their ability to provide good paying
provide a return on the money you invested in jobs for those employees who want to work and can
your business to use towards your retirement. contribute in a useful and productive manner to the
6. To provide a legacy for your children if they business.
wish to follow your example of solid work Both levels of government enjoy a majority status
ethics. and therefore can put through legislation based upon
The independently owned home their needs and the demands of the special interest
"...small business improvement, hardware and building groups they cater to (unions!). We are approaching
is under attack supply retailer is a cornerstone the provincial election in June of 2018. This is the
business in most communities in time to communicate to your local MPP your concerns
today, not from Ontario, providing all the above- and challenges regarding the implementation of the
competitors but mentioned benefits; however, small changes to the provincial labour code and how that
business is under attack today, not will affect your voting.
from our elected from competitors but from our elected Statistically, small business in Ontario is a major
governments governments both provincially and driving force for employment and job creation. Why
federally.
governments are focused on reducing the incentives
both provincially Recent introductions at both levels to start up a business today is beyond me. Not
of government to tighten up so called everyone wants to work in a unionized environment
and federally." loopholes for registered corporations with someone doing all their thinking. Our sector is a
on how income is distributed; and the major employer of people and pay for results. If you
rapid increase in minimum wages and other benefits have been working the last 12 years at a minimum
being forced upon business owners that will add wage job, maybe the problem is you and not your
considerable costs as well as the onerous level of employer. You’re just not worth anymore!
compliance in health and safety and employment Of course, we could sell our businesses, then
standards. These will have a negative impact on small we (and our employees) could all apply for a job at
business bottom lines. the LCBO or even at that wonderful new enterprise
How will you address these legislated intrusions in “Cannabis Control Board of Ontario”.
the management of your business? Most probably
you will raise prices, lay off employees and reduce the
number of seasonal employees (mostly students) you
hire for those busiest times of the year. Maybe you

8 LBMAO Reporter - September-October 2017 www.lbmao.on.ca