The leader of a Canadian pro-business lobbying group is calling on the government to resist the push toward protectionism and reduce the deficit.
Perrin Beatty, CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, recently called on leaders within the government to help foster business growth by implementing restrictions on free trade. While many have touted protectionism as a way to secure jobs in the country, Beatty said that allowing Canadians to take part in the global marketplace would greatly benefit them.
"Every country has put up protectionist barriers," said Beatty in an interview with International Business Times. "We have to commit ourselves to an open global economy... All of us will benefit if we bring those barriers down. The problems in a small economy like Greece created shock waves."
Beatty went on to say that the private sector "needs the confidence that governments have their fiscal houses in order."
Canadian small business owners in all parts of the country have called on the government to take their needs into account. A recent survey from the Canadian Federation found that 69 percent of small business owners in Ontario thought that government policies were hurting their profits.
