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Minister's Message |
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| As we turn the page on the 20th century, we are looking towards a future bright with possibilities. Canada is well positioned to be a leader in the increasingly integrated global economy, primarily due to our skills and assets, including a strong small business sector. With sustained economic growth, surging exports and solid employment gains, Canadians are already realizing the benefits of the knowledge-based economy—but the potential is almost limitless. Through a combination of strategic policies, programs and partnerships, the Government of Canada continues to build the momentum to secure Canada's success in the new millennium. | ||||||||
The shift to a more global economy is opening up unprecedented opportunities for small business in Canada. Information and communications technologies are ushering in a revolutionary era of trade and commerce. Technologies such as the Internet and applications such as electronic commerce are reducing significantly the barriers of time and distance, making the playing field more level for large and small firms alike. The effects of this are being felt everywhere—from large cities like Montréal and Vancouver, to remote communities like Davis Inlet in Labrador and Pelly Bay in Nunavut, where the Information Highway is the only highway. If there is one message that I would urge you to think about it is this: no business is too small or too new to connect to the Internet and to begin doing business electronically. The Government of Canada has programs to help you get connected. Knowledge, innovation and technology are driving the new economy, and businesses are increasingly finding that up-to-date information is an essential tool in the new economy. This is particularly true for small firms that need information to compete successfully. However, they often do not have the time or resources to search out new business opportunities, learn about recent changes in regulations or find the emerging technologies that will help them to expand their enterprises. The Government of Canada takes the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seriously. The 2.6 million small businesses and self-employed in Canada are a key engine of growth in the Canadian economy, accounting for some 60 percent of private sector employment and 43 percent of private sector output. The federal government has developed a range of information services and products, including this guide, to provide Canadian small businesses with the tools and support they need to prosper in the new economy. Your Guide to Government of Canada Services and Support for Small Business, now in its third edition, contains information on the federal government's programs and services available to small businesses. It is organized under headings such as "Key Support and Information Services" and "Exporting," to help you to find the information you need as easily as possible. Another useful source of information for your business is Industry Canada's Strategis Web site (http://strategis.gc.ca). While Your Guide to Government of Canada Services and Support for Small Business focusses on federal support for business, Strategis covers a vast array of public and private sector information to help businesses take root and grow. I wish you success in your business endeavours. The Minister of Industry 
http://strategis.gc.ca
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