Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands and Leader of the Green Party of Canada, has reintroduced a private member’s bill that would require the federal government to assess the impact of every new law and regulation on Canadian small businesses.

May tabled the bill, An Act to amend the Department of Industry Act (small businesses), known as the “Think Small First” bill, for first reading in the House of Commons today. The bill would require the Minister of Industry to conduct an impact assessment of every government bill and every regulation tabled in Parliament to determine whether it could significantly impact Canadian small businesses. Each assessment would weigh a defined set of factors, including access to financing, conditions for investment, and whether a measure could impede small businesses’ ability to compete in the marketplace.

“I first heard of Think Small First legislation from Green friends in the European parliament, representing the Green Party in the EU,” said May. “It became law in the EU parliament in2008. I have tried in the past to secure support from Canada’s parliament for this sensible commitment to promote small business. I am so honoured to re-introduce it to parliament today!”

Small businesses employ the majority of Canada’s private sector workforce, yet federal legislation and regulations are rarely designed to accommodate their distinct realities. The “Think Small First” bill is based on the European Union’s “Think Small First” principle, which has been in place since 2008. It requires European policy makers to weigh the effects on small businesses at the drafting stage of a law, rather than after the fact. The tabling of May’s private member’s bill today is an opportunity to press the case for building small business concerns into how Ottawa makes decisions.

“Small businesses are not just mini-me versions of their large corporate cousins,” said Michael Holbrook, Green Party critic for Small Business. “A “Think Small First” approach to legislation is strongly supported by the facts. Small businesses account for the majority of business sector GDP, private sector employment, and new job creation. They lead the way in innovation and new technology adoption, and are far more efficient in their use of R&D spending. In terms of local benefit, there is no contest. Small business capital and profits recirculate in local and provincial economies rather than being siphoned offshore. Local businesses provide civic and social leadership, event and non-profit sponsorship, and are loyal to their community and employees, even in economic downturns.”

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