Minister Chagger speaks to the key role small businesses and tourism play in Canada's economy

News Release

Alberta Enterprise Group hosts a luncheon with its business and tourism stakeholders

July 11, 2011 – Edmonton, Alberta – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

During a luncheon today hosted by the Alberta Enterprise Group, the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, spoke to the Edmonton business and tourism community about the importance of small businesses and tourism as key drivers in the Canadian economy.

The Minister touched on various government initiatives, such as the Innovation Agenda, support for tourism-related businesses, and the government's role in encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.

SMEs are drivers of the economy, employing 90 percent of the private sector workforce and accounting for about 40 percent of GDP. The vast majority of Canada's tourism businesses are small and medium-sized – such as lodges, spas, wineries and small tour operators. The government remains committed to supporting these entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Millennial Travel Program, the new Connecting America or the marketing campaign led by Destination Canada in the United States.

Quotes

"Tourism is a powerful engine of growth and has a wide dynamic effect on small and medium-sized enterprises. The Government of Canada remains committed to helping entrepreneurs become more productive, innovative and export-oriented."

– Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism

Quick facts

  • The AEG is a member-based, non-profit business advocacy organization based in Edmonton. This organization hones on the collective experience of its members to effectively communicate the benefits of doing business in the province. Its objective is to inform the public, as well as policy makers, on complex and challenging issues facing the province and the country to create real change at community level.
  • The EEDC is a not-for-profit company owned by the City of Edmonton and is strategically focused on Edmonton's economic future. EEDC's purpose is to increase prosperity and the quality of life for people of the Edmonton region by promoting economic development, marketing Edmonton as a tourist destination, and by managing the Shaw Conference Centre and Edmonton Research Park. EEDC is also part of a joint venture with the University of Alberta called TEC Edmonton, which opens doors for local entrepreneurs, investors and the U of A research community.

Associated links

Follow Minister Chagger on social media.
Twitter: @MinofSBT
Instagram: minofsbt

Contacts

James Fitz-Morris
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Small Business and Tourism
343-291-2700

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

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