Global Entrepreneurship Week

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made the following statement about Global Entrepreneurship Week, which runs November 14-20, 2022:

“Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrates the millions of people worldwide who turn their business ideas into reality. The international event encourages entrepreneurs through a variety of activities and connects them with potential investors, support organizations, mentors and partners to help them achieve their goals.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting entrepreneurs as they pave the way to economic recovery and a sustainable, inclusive future. In Atlantic Canada, ACOA helps entrepreneurs navigate the impacts of recent challenges like labour shortages, the expansion of digital business processes, complexities of global markets, and climate change.

“As Minister responsible for ACOA, I am proud of the work being done to address the key concerns of Atlantic Canadian businesses. For example, ACOA supports is focused on growing the workforce of the future through immigration, skills development and inclusion of under-represented groups in Atlantic Canada’s labour force. Programs like the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and the Black Entrepreneurship Program are helping women and Black entrepreneurs start up and scale up their ideas, products and services. ACOA also recognizes the importance of supporting the economic and entrepreneurial ecosystems of official language minority communities. The Agency works closely with Francophone economic organizations to help them access the vast range of programs and services available to Francophone entrepreneurs and businesses in Atlantic Canada.

“ACOA helps firms adopt digital technologies so they can be more innovative, agile and resilient in response to changing market conditions both here and globally. The Agency helps businesses succeed by promoting trade and foreign direct investment. ACOA also supports entrepreneurs through clean growth initiatives to help them adapt to greener, more sustainable operations.

“By assisting in these ways, ACOA works to foster a diverse, inclusive and resilient economy that offers everyone the opportunity to prosper.

“I extend my sincerest congratulations to Atlantic Canada’s entrepreneurs, their workers, and to everyone who supports them in every corner of the region. Please join me in thanking them for their commitment and successes strengthening our economy and making our communities attractive places to work and live.”