07 Jan 2014

Did you know small businesses account for most of the employment — and job creation — in Canada.

According to small business statistics released by Industry Canada in last August, small businesses account for more than 98 per cent of all firms in Canada, creating 77.7 per cent of all private jobs from 2002 to 2012.

The federal government helps small business with job creationby offering a number of tax credits, including one directly aimed at apprenticeships.

It also has funding available for small businesses to hire people with disabilities.

Hire a person with a disability

Think Beyond the Label is an American campaign aimed at raising awareness about the business case for hiring people with disabilities.

Return on investment

Businesses that employ people with disabilities open themselves up to new markets, which can translate into higher revenues and increased profits. According to Think Beyond the Label, a large number of Americans say they “prefer to patronize businesses that hire people with disabilities.”

Innovation

Employees with disabilities, the website says, bring unique experiences and understanding that can transform a workplace and enhance your products and services.

Persons with disabilities can show you a new way to do business! However, almost 800,000 Canadians with disabilities don’t have jobs, even though their disabilities don’t prevent them from working.

Making your workplace accessible

Challenges can sometimes arise with hiring employees with disabilities. You may need to make your workplace accessible, whether it’s building a wheelchair ramp or purchasing software for the deaf and hearing impaired.

The Workplace Accessibility Stream of the Enabling Accessibility Fund provides funding to small businesses and social enterprises for projects that improve accessibility in workplaces.

To be eligible for the Employment and Social Development Canada funding, the projects may include:

  • Renovating, retrofitting or constructing workplaces in which job opportunities for people with disabilities could be created or maintained
  • Retrofitting motor vehicles for work use
  • Providing information and communications technologies for work use

A small business cannot ask for more than $50,000 per project.

The deadline to apply for the funding is January 20.

Here to help

A1 Accounting, a Calgary accounting and bookkeeping firm, is here to assist you with your taxes and planning. We specialize in personal taxes and small-business accounting and financial services. Contact one of our tax specialists and we can help you optimize the tax benefits and credits available to self-employed individuals and small businesses.

Fill out our contact form or give us a call at 403-226-8297.