Minister Ng visits local small businesses in Greater Toronto Area to highlight revamped CanExport program
News release
November 10, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
As Canadian small businesses continue to adapt to the new reality of COVID-19, the Government of Canada is working hard to support small business owners as they rebuild and explore new opportunities in the global marketplace.
Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, alongside Tony Van Bynen, Member of Parliament for Newmarket–Aurora, and Helena Jaczek, Member of Parliament for Markham–Stouffville, visited local businesses in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, that are successfully growing their businesses internationally amid COVID-19.
Minister Ng first met with local business owners of STEM Minds in Aurora—a kindergarten to grade 12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content creator and program provider for both in-person and online learning. Support from the CanExport program has helped them attend international conferences, connect with new customers, and explore new opportunities.
Minister Ng also visited Thumbprint Solutions, a mechanical engineering services and simulation software solutions provider that has recently worked on developing electric vehicles. Since 2017, Thumbprint Solutions has taken advantage of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service’s (TCS’s) support to help the company expand and diversify its clients across international markets and industries.
During both these visits, Minister Ng highlighted the newly revamped CanExport program, which will provide Canadian businesses—including women and Indigenous entrepreneurs—with up to $75,000 in funding to expand their e-commerce presence, attend virtual trade shows, and navigate COVID-19-related trade barriers.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the revamped CanExport program today.
Quotes
“Thumbprint Solutions and STEM Minds are excellent examples of resilient and innovative small businesses successfully bringing their made-in-Canada solutions and services to the world. Hearing and learning from them today will help our government continue to adapt to meet the needs of small business owners, as we take action to building a strong and sustainable economic recovery for all Canadians.”
- Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
Quick facts
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Since the Government of Canada launched the TCS’s CanExport Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) program in 2016, thousands of small business owners have received grants of up to $75,000 to cover some of the costs and expenses of getting export ready.
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Over the last 4 years, the CanExport SMEs program has supported over 3,000 projects in more than 145 markets, resulting in over $600 million in new exports.
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In 2018, the government announced investments of $150 million over 6 years to help Canadian businesses export and grow and to strengthen the TCS and enhance the support it provides to Canadian exporters.
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Contacts
Youmy Han
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
343-551-0246
youmy.han@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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