Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Senator Gold, during the 2019 federal election campaign, the Trudeau Liberals made several different commitments to our small businesses that have not been fulfilled. As I have raised previously, it appears the Trudeau government is breaking its promise to cut the cost of federal incorporation by 75%. As well, the promise to end credit card swipe fees on GST and HST is being buried in endless consultations.

Leader, in 2019, your government also promised to eliminate fees for business advisory services such as mentorship and training from the Business Development Bank, Export Development Canada and Farm Credit Canada.

Leader, could you tell us if these fees have been eliminated and, if not, why not?

Senator Martin: Leader, with respect to the credit card swipe fees consultations that I mentioned, small businesses are still waiting to hear when the next round will begin, as announced in the budget. Over a month ago, on May 14, the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers stated:

. . . there has been a deafening silence from the government as to when this additional consultation will be taking place and what it will be addressing.

Leader, when I asked you about this last month, you said you would make inquiries and report back. What response did you receive if you’ve received any? Will your government launch these consultations as soon as possible?

Senator Martin: According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 36% of small business owners say their credit card fees have increased during the pandemic. At this time of high inflation and ongoing supply chain issues, our small businesses need help and they need the Prime Minister to follow through on his promise to cut their fees, not more consultation.

So, leader, your government already ran a consultation process on credit card transaction fees from August to December of 2021. What are you expecting to hear differently in yet another consultation process when the last consultations concluded just five months ago? Could you also find out when the next consultations are set to begin?

Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, my question is also for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.

During the 2019 federal election campaign, the Prime Minister promised to eliminate the swipe fee on HST and GST for credit card transactions claiming this would save small businesses nearly $500 million annually. Following the NDP-Liberal budget last month, Dan Kelly of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business stated:

Despite an election promise in 2019 and a budget commitment in 2021, no progress has been made in reducing credit card fees for small business other than yet another round of consultation.

So, leader, why didn’t the NDP-Liberal government keep this promise to our local businesses? Why are you choosing more consultations instead of honouring the commitment you made to eliminate their credit card fees?