The Province will drop their budget on us Thursday, March 16.

High River Chamber of Commerce President Steven Muth isn't optimistic the budget will be good for small businesses and has some advice for Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci.

What I would probably tell him is to start listening to the business owners. And not even CNRL or Suncor. Listen to the High River businesses. Listen to your Chambers of Commerce. They will guide you through this economic and budgetary stretch because they are the engine of this country.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business put out their pre-budget report on what their top concerns are heading into this Spring's federal budget.

Chief among them:

-Small business taxes: The reduction in the tax rate from 10.5% to 9% (as was promised by the government during the 2015 election) is CFIB’s top recommendation for federal budget 2017.  CFIB urges government not to further narrow the access to the lower rate.

-Employment Insurance (EI): Extend the Small Business Job Credit or consider implementing a permanently lower EI rate for small employers. CFIB also recommends government deliver on its promise to introduce an EI holiday for hiring youth.

 -Introduce an “Innovation Deduction” that would allow businesses to claim up to $100,000 per year spent on new equipment or technology, in the year of purchase. 82% of small business owners believe such a policy would be helpful for their business.

-Labour and Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs): Adopt CFIB’s proposed solution to address permanent labour shortages - an Introduction to Canada Visa, a first step toward permanent residency..

-Reduce red tape: In order to further reduce the burden imposed on small business, the one-for-one rule – for every new requirement that the government introduces, one of equivalent burden must be removed – should be broadened to include rules found in policy and legislation.

Muth says his top concern with the federal budget could be another increase to the Canada Pension Plan, which is he says is always a tough sell to small business owners, particularly when it comes to hiring new employees.

The Federal Government releases their budget Wednesday, March 22.