Canadian Federation of Independent Business

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is a non-profit business organization representing Canadian owners of small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs). The CFIB has lobbied to restrict aspects of the social safety net, including minimum wages, employment insurance, and personal leave for employees. They advocate for deregulation and lower corporate taxes. The organization's head office is located in Toronto and there is a regional office located in each province. There is also a national office located in Ottawa. History Born out of a 1969 tax protest, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business was officially founded in 1971 by John Bulloch, a small business owner and business professor at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now TMU). Bulloch had formed The Canadian Council for Fair Taxation in 1969 to fight the White Paper on Taxation proposed by the then Minister of Finance, Edgar Benson. Under the terms of the White Paper, Canadian small businesses faced the prospect of an increased tax rate of 50%. The White Paper was ultimately withdrawn and the CCFT was succeeded by the enduring CFIB. , Dan Kelly (lobbyist) is the president and CEO. He succeeded Catherine Swift. Membership Members must be Canadian-based privately owned companies. Business size is not a criterion for membership.