As the  New Brunswick legislature resumes,  small business owners have expressed some of their top concerns.

Seven in ten of New Brunswick’s small businesses (76%) say the cost of doing business is their top concern, followed by taxes (70%) and labour policies (53%) according to a recent poll by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

Small businesses in the province also expressed support for extending programs aimed at encouraging older employees to remain in the workplace longer (60%), enhanced skills development in specific trades and occupational fields in high school (81%), increased accessibility of housing (72%), increased accessibility of childcare services (83%) and ensuring government programs and benefits do not disincentivize people from working (83%).

The CFIB surveyed 2687 members across the country between September 7-21, 2023.