Bill 96: SMEs fear increased administrative burden

Bill 96, a law that respects the official and common language in Quebec, French, risks increasing the administrative burden on small and medium businesses, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business believes.

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Even if it welcomes the government’s desire to ensure that the French language is strengthened and preserved, the CFIB places a bar on the possibility of companies with 25-49 employees being subjected to the franchising process, while more than half (56%) of SMEs oppose it.

“We are facing a bill with French language sustainability goals, which, as commendable as they are, must be combined with the very tangible and on-the-ground realities of SMEs that are currently facing an epidemic and a shortage of food,” said Francis Biroby, senior policy analyst at CFIB, in a statement. On Monday, it’s unprecedented business.

“In this context, the government will have to find a way to not increase the current burden on SMEs,” said Mr. Birobi.

The CFIB calls for a new analysis of the regulatory impact of this reform on businesses, while the administrative burden costs Quebec SMEs $8.2 billion annually.

Based on a case study, the organization estimates the costs associated with the franchising process for SMEs to be between $9.5 million and $24.5 million, depending on the size of the business.

The CFIB is calling for businesses to be supported with promising measures, such as the establishment of a French one-stop shop in Quebec, which has been favorably received.

“The best way to achieve the goals of promoting the French language in SMEs remains to support and access services that respect their entrepreneurial realities,” added Mr. Biroby.