Le gouvernement fédéral est le plus important acquéreur de biens et de services au Canada et, à ce titre, il utilise ses activités d’approvisionnement pour aider les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) canadiennes à se lancer en affaires, à se développer et à prendre de l’expansion.

“Our government is using its purchasing power to help small businesses innovate and become more competitive. To achieve this, our focus is squarely on our greatest asset: our people. Supporting innovative work from small businesses will help us reduce existing barriers for Canadians living with a disability and give them equal opportunities to obtain the middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“As Canada’s largest buyer, our government is in a unique position to be a leader on issues such as accessibility. Through this initiative, we are demonstrating our commitment to using these opportunities to foster growth and innovation in homegrown businesses.”
– The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“This is a small business–friendly government that is working hard to reduce red tape and make it easier for Canadian small business owners to start up, scale up and access new markets. Innovative Solutions Canada is a fantastic program that uses government procurement to help small businesses develop and then commercialize their innovations. These are worthy new challenges, and I can’t wait to see the ideas from Canadian small businesses. When small businesses in communities across the country succeed, our economy grows and middle-class jobs are created.”
– The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

“Through initiatives such as the Alternate Format Business Technology Challenge, we are breaking down existing barriers to improve access to print materials for all Canadians. This investment in the development of alternate format materials promotes inclusion by design and helps ensure persons with disabilities have better opportunities to read and learn. Our country is at its best, and we all benefit, when everyone has opportunities to participate on an equal basis. Together, we are building a more accessible and inclusive Canada.”
– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce and Disability Inclusion

• People with print disabilities have learning, reading, perceptual, physical or visual disabilities that affect their ability to read conventional printed published materials. About 2.4 million Canadians over the age of 15 have print disabilities.

• It is estimated that less than 10% of published materials in Canada are available in formats that are fully accessible to people with print disabilities, which limits their full social and economic inclusion.

• Innovative Solutions Canada helps Canadian innovators by funding R&D and testing prototypes in real-life settings. Its two streams have a combined funding of over $140 million dedicated to Canadian innovators who want to start up, grow and get to market. Innovators can sign up to receive updates on the Innovative Solutions Canada program.

• There are hundreds of programs and services that offer everything from funding to expert advice to help businesses innovate, create jobs and grow Canada’s economy. Using a simple, story-based user interface, the Innovation Canada platform can match businesses with the most fitting programs and services in about two minutes.

Associated links

• Innovative Solutions Canada Challenges
• Document Imaging Solutions Centre

Véronique Simard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
343-291-2500

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

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