And don't forget the other changes being forced through by the Liberal government: paid personal leave days, paid vacation leave requirements, etc. These costs will also be a significant burden to small businesses. Also, any company that is in the food service business - restaurants, bakeries, etc., will also be slapped with further big increases in electricity rates. Combined with much higher wage bills, higher rents, etc., many small businesses won't survive past the end of this year.

For you liberals and socialists out there who have trouble understanding these things, any businesses that pass along price increases that far exceed the raises that the majority of  workers and pensioners will receive in 2018 will meet with a lot of resistance. People like me (ie. pensioners) will slash our restaurant and other discretionary spending in response.