More than nine in 10 Canadians say small businesses are vital to their communities, a reason why the new federal government should put small business at the centre of its agenda and support entrepreneurship in Canada, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

According to a CFIB poll, Canadians value entrepreneurs and one in two are considering starting a business one day, said Corinne Pohlmann, CFIB's senior vice-president of national affairs.

Canadians stand behind small business ventures

"We should be supporting small business owners and encouraging those who are thinking of making the leap,” said Pohlmann. “Eight out of 10 Canadians say that governments undervalue the contributions of entrepreneurs. As they prepare their agenda for the new Parliament, the incoming government needs to recognise that most Canadians stand firmly behind small businesses and see them as vital to their communities.”

Small business owners rated ahead of government and unions

According to the survey, Canadians rate farmers and small business owners as some of the groups they respect the most, ahead of government, unions and large companies. The survey also indicated that the top ways small businesses are seen as contributing to their communities include employing locally (84%), increasing their economic vibrancy (66%) and providing great places to shop (56%). Some 88% said small businesses should face a lower tax rate than larger businesses, according to the survey.

"The government has the opportunity to start fresh with the small business community and show them that they hear their concerns," added Pohlmann. "We saw some great ideas come out of every party's platform so we're excited to work with all MPs to put in place policies that support small businesses."