In an ongoing monthly series presented by the Calgary Herald and Financial Post, Canadian business leaders share their thoughts on the country’s economic challenges and opportunities.

What makes us Canadian? Top of the list would be hockey, unnecessary apologizing and harsh winters; but for me, our beating heart is the farms and small businesses that feed us and drive nearly half our GDP. They make up 97.8 per cent of employer businesses in our country, embodying the grit and resilience of our identity. Yet, behind the plaid shirts and deep-rooted pride lies a struggle: navigating tax complexities, rising costs and bureaucratic hurdles in a fight just to survive.

Canada’s tax system has become a literal labyrinth, forcing small business owners and farmers to shoulder an overwhelming burden. Each year, new rules stack atop old ones, creating a system even seasoned accountants struggle to navigate. For entrepreneurs already battling razor-thin margins and operational pressures, this complexity acts as a hidden tax – especially for those without access to specialized expertise.

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