It started as a tax protest and progressed to become the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. A continuous series of stories provide a learning experience for anyone interested in business and politics.
This is the story of the Canadian Council for Fair Taxation, which was the most successful citizen’s protest in Canadian history. It is also a story of how a Ryerson teacher was launched into non-partisan politics.
From 1971 to mid-1973 it was touch and go trying to create a viable small business organization. A lot of stories that prove how small businesses innovate trying to solve their problems.
This is the story of the Canadian Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, an organization created because I did not believe CFIB would ever be big enough to support me. But the teaching of entrepreneurship in a wide range of courses at all universities and colleges across Canada are the result of the initial pioneering efforts of the Centre.
From 1973 to 1978 our CFIB goal was to build a membership of 50,000 which on a per capita basis would make it the largest advocacy organization of its kind in the world. It is also a series of stories showing how organizational power is translated into political power.
Rapid growth creates its own challenges and here we see how the Board and Management of CFIB were reorganized, and how staff upgrades prepared us for operating at a higher level nationally and internationally.
Now CFIB is a major player and is consulted at the highest levels both provincially and federally. The CFIB research function becomes a powerful tool in changing public opinion and in influencing governments.
Public recognition for creating a powerful small business political voice comes from national and international organizations; but this recognition is shared by family, staff, governors and members.
In many ways, advocacy and learning are two sides of the same coin. Creating a supportive public policy environment for growth is one challenge, but building successful small businesses is an equal challenge. E-learning as a development tool has made it possible for associations to support the development of their members without a government partner funding bricks and mortar training facilities.
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