The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling for more supports to small businesses.

MLAs will return to the legislature this week for the fall session at the legislature.

The CFIB wants them to focus on economic challenges, according to a news release.

They say small companies are struggling with labour shortages, low consumer demand and rising costs.

The CFIB says New Brunswick should reduce the small business tax rate from 2.5 per cent to 1 per cent, and the Liberals should offer a contingency fund for companies affected by construction.

In Miramichi, for example, they say the bridge will soon be closed because of construction, and several businesses say that will drive away their customers at least while the bridge is closed.

They also want to tie minimum wage increases to the province’s median wage.

“Small business need stability and cost relief. We’ve brought forward all our recommendations to the appropriate ministers and elected officials, we trust government will actively consider the concerns of our over 3,700 members in the province,” wrote Louis-Philippe Gauthier, Atlantic Vice-President for CFIB, in the release.