The Canadian Federation of Independent Business believes an economic slowdown may be underway. CFIB Policy Analyst, SeoRhin Yoo says from their monthly Business Barometer, Saskatchewan was the only province with numbers below 50 for long term optimism. Yoo notes that Saskatchewan has the highest inflation rate in Canada, along with ongoing labour shortages and rising interest rates, similar to other jurisdictions.

The CFIB calls on the provincial government to freeze the small business tax rate at zero per cent until at least 2024 to help with the continuing challenges from the pandemic. It is set to increase to one per cent on July 1st. Yoo suggests the province could also suspend the provincial fuel tax. The request of the federal government is to extend the repayment deadline of the Canadian Emergency Business Account loans for another year. Right now, the deadline is December 31st.