Business owners in the Humboldt area had the opportunity to engage in discussion with Humboldt Member of Parliament Kelly Block on Thursday.

Block was in the city hosting a Regional Economic Roundtable in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce.

Twenty-five members of Humboldt's Chamber registered for the open discussion event.

"We had circulated questions to the members ahead of time, just to kickstart the conversation," she explained. "We were asking them in particular to outline for us what the impact of some of the new Federal government's recently announced measures might have on their businesses."

Block added that among the items discussed were the new Carbon Tax, set to be imposed in 2018, a much debated increase to the Canada Pension Plan, and no reduction to the small business tax.

"In a large rural riding, we have producers that are concerned, small to medium size businesses. Not only the direct impact, but the indirect impact," she said. "We are hearing consistently throughout the riding that they are concerned about the increase in a tax. Also with the CPP, small to medium sized businesses, it is a $1,100 per employee tax, and they are concerned about that."

There was an opportunity for business owners to bring up their own discussion points and express their concerns and issues.

Block says that holding the discussions are beneficial in several ways.

"It's a great way to connect not only with the business community, but the community at-large. I used to hold pre-budget consultations in the previous riding I represented, and wanted to maintain that connection and also provide an opportunity for the constituents of Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek to let me know what their concerns are."

"Small and medium sized businesses are the economic drivers in this riding, and so hearing from them is very important," she continued. "Being able to go back to Ottawa and let folks know what I am hearing is especially important."

In the new zones drawn for the October 2015 election, Block became the MP for Humboldt as part of Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek.

You can hear more from Block below.