ONTARIO GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES STRATEGY TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade recently launched a strategy designed to meet the growing needs of Ontario’s small business community calling for improved and expanding services to small business to meet a growing need across Ontario, and the establishment of a Small Business Advisory Council to take action on concerns through the province-wide Business Support Network.

Among the measures outlined in the strategy

Convert Small Business Self-Help Offices to Small Business Enterprise Centres to provide entrepreneurs with common services throughout startup and the crucial first five years of growth;

Expand the business support network to 42 centres to fill in geographic gaps across Ontario;

Provide services to help entrepreneurs incorporate e-business into their day-to-day operations;

Launce a Small Business Advisory Council to coordinate research, eliminate duplication and  enhance customer service standards across the network;

Emphasize “Salute to Small Business Month” as an annual event too recognize the outstanding contributions small business makes to Ontario’s economy;

Develop a network database with partners and stakeholders.

  Provincial Government has worked with municipalities and the private sector to provide relevant services to help small business succeed. They have seen an increase in the number of entrepreneurs and their needs are changing.