Minister of State Bernier Celebrates Entrepreneurs During Small Business Week

News Release

October 20, 2014 – Ottawa – Industry Canada

Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) (Agriculture), today delivered brief remarks to Vancouver entrepreneurs highlighting the vital role of small business owners in our economy and celebrating the launch of the Business Development Bank of Canada's Small Business Week 2014, which runs from October 19 to 25.

The Minister of State described Small Business Week as an ideal opportunity to reflect on the important contributions entrepreneurs make to Canada, creating jobs and economic growth from coast to coast to coast. He also highlighted measures that are helping entrepreneurs compete and grow in the global marketplace.

In organizing Canada's Small Business Week for the past 35 years, the Business Development Bank of Canada has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to helping build small businesses across the country.

Quick facts

Cutting the small business tax rate and increasing the small business income limit have translated into $2.2 billion in tax relief in 2014.
The new Small Business Job Credit is expected to save small businesses more than $550 million over the next two years.
Small and medium-sized businesses represent 99.8 percent of all businesses in Canada, account for nearly 9 in 10 jobs in the private sector and contribute 52 percent to our private sector gross domestic product.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of Small Business Week in Canada.

Quotes

"Small Business Week is an ideal opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurs who are key to Canada's economic growth and long-term prosperity. Through concrete measures, our government is putting the right conditions in place for small business owners to create jobs while establishing a favourable environment in which to start a business."
– Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) (Agriculture)

"Small Business Week is a perfect time to focus on Canadian businesses because everything begins with entrepreneurs. Their impact on the economy is significant, with small and medium-sized enterprises contributing to more than half of Canada's gross domestic product. If Canada is to continue to prosper, its entrepreneurs must continue to build successful businesses."
– Pierre Cléroux, Chief Economist, Business Development Bank of Canada

"Örling & Wu is pleased to be a part of the launch of BDC Small Business Week in Canada. It is great to see that entrepreneurs can be celebrated and their hard work can be recognized. We are proud to be a key small business and employer in this community and in British Columbia."
– Fredrik Örling, Co-Owner, Örling & Wu Home Ltd.

"Small businesses in British Columbia have a strong reputation across Canada and around the world, and Small Business BC works hard to help their business grow, be profitable and have access to as many opportunities as possible. Small Business Week is a great way to commend their efforts and the work they do in building our economy."
– George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC

Contacts

Laurence Gagnon d'Entremont
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) (Agriculture)
613-943-6183

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
media-relations@ic.gc.ca

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Minister of State Bernier Celebrates Entrepreneurs During Small Business Week

News Release

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