The Harper government’s first budget for 2009 earns high marks from CEOs and business leaders on the COMPAS panel. The three most appealing elements are an increase the amount of income eligible for the small business rate (from $ 400,000 to $ 500,000), extending the capital cost allowance on investments in manufacturing, and the unprecedented $12 billion in new infrastructure funding for rail, bridges, and roads.

Of nine key elements of the budget, panelists are neutral about only one-- a commitment of about $1.5 billion for Aboriginal training and services, and housing on reserves. This appears to be because of a concern about effectiveness.

These are the key findings from this past week’s Internet survey of CEOs and business leaders on the COMPAS panel. The weekly business survey is undertaken for Canadian Business magazine under sponsorship of BDO Dunwoody LLP.

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