CanadianSME Small Business Podcast

Advocacy and Action for Small Businesses with Dan Kelly

Episode Notes

In this compelling episode of the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, we're honored to have Dan Kelly, President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), share his extensive journey of advocacy and leadership. Dan discusses the evolution of CFIB's role in supporting small businesses, the impactful CEBA loan program, the carbon tax's implications, the rising costs of doing business, and CFIB’s strategies for policy change. Through his stories, Dan offers a masterclass in perseverance, strategic advocacy, and the importance of community support in fostering a thriving business environment in Canada.

Key Highlight Points:

• Dan Kelly’s path from policy analyst to CFIB President and CEO, emphasizing the impact of passion and perseverance in advocacy for small businesses.
• Reflections on CEBA loans' role during the pandemic, and considerations for future support mechanisms for small businesses in crises.
• Insights into the carbon tax's effects on small businesses and CFIB's role in facilitating discussions between businesses and policymakers.
• Discussion on the factors driving up the cost of doing business and how CFIB’s advocacy efforts aim to alleviate these pressures.
• The process of prioritizing issues for advocacy and strategies for enacting policy changes that benefit small businesses, along with ways business owners can contribute.

A heartfelt thank you to Dan Kelly for enlightening us with his experiences and strategies at the forefront of small business advocacy in Canada. His guidance through CFIB’s initiatives offers a beacon for small business owners navigating today's challenges. We also extend our thanks to our partners, exclusive Banking partner RBC, exclusive shipping partner UPS, and exclusive accounting software partner Xero, exclusive E-mail partner Constant Contact for their support in bringing these enriching discussions to our audience.

The takeaway from this episode the value of collective advocacy, strategic support, and leveraging community resources to bolster your business against the tides of change. Stay subscribed for more insights and stories that empower the small business community in Canada by visiting our official website, www.canadiansme.ca