Ottawa, December 7, 2010 - The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today addressed small business leaders at Innovation 2010, Canada's R&D Partnership Conference. Minister of State Moore discussed the importance of innovation and competitiveness in today's changing marketplace and the role the federal government is playing to ensure that Canadian small businesses continue to succeed.
"Small businesses are the engines of growth and job creation," said Minister of State Moore. "The Harper Government is supporting our country's entrepreneurs in order to keep them competitive and prosperous here at home and around the world."
Since 2006, our government has delivered over $200 billion in tax relief to Canadians and small businesses and continues to make strategic investments in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) through organizations such as the Business Development Bank of Canada. Contributions to SMEs through National Research Council Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) further encourage innovation.
A number of initiatives have been launched to assist small businesses. The $40-million Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program helps SMEs kick-start new product testing and commercialization. Commercialization is also key to Canada's science and technology strategy, which Prime Minister Harper launched in 2007 to build Canada's knowledge economy.
The concerns of small businesses and entrepreneurs will continue to be heard: the new Advisory Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will examine a wide range of issues of importance to SMEs, such as reducing red tape and improving access to federal programs and information.
"Acting on commitments made in Canada's Economic Action Plan, our government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that Canadian businesses remain a powerful force, driving innovation, productivity, job creation and economic growth," said Minister of State Moore. "We look forward to supporting entrepreneurs and discovering new ways to simplify the way we do business in Canada."
For further information (media only), please contact:
Catherine Godbout
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
613-943-7023
613-668-5406 (cell)
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
