CFIB says tariffs will hurt Canadian businesses [Video]

Simon Gaudreault, CFIB chief economist, discusses the impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian businesses with Alberta Primetime host Michael Higgins.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Michael Higgins: Let’s start on the Trump tariff threat. If the president elect follows through and it’s as high as 25 per cent, how is this most likely to impact the small- and medium-sized businesses your organization represents?

Simon Gaudreault: This is going to be a very major impact, there’s no question about it. 2023 Stats Can reports that out of the roughly 50,000 or so Canadian businesses that exported that year, 97 per cent were actually small- or medium-sized businesses and they represented 40 per cent of the value of exports. So in terms of trade, exports and imports, small- and medium-sized businesses from very different sectors and all across Canada have a very large stake in this situation.

MH:There are those who suggest this is Donald Trump’s opening salvo to shake …