Minister of State Bernier Meets With Winnipeg Entrepreneurs

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - May 15, 2013) - The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today met with representatives of the Winnipeg entrepreneurial community at a roundtable hosted by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. He listened to the priorities of Winnipeg entrepreneurs while underscoring the Harper Government's recent efforts to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) through Economic Action Plan 2013.

"Our government understands that entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy," said Minister of State Bernier. "Listening to Canadian entrepreneurs is an important way of ensuring that our actions continue to respond to the needs of entrepreneurs and Canadians."

During the meeting, the Minister of State highlighted SME-specific initiatives included in Economic Action Plan 2013. This plan is delivering for small business entrepreneurs by extending and expanding the Hiring Credit for Small Business, increasing the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption and aligning job training with the needs of employers through the new Canada Job Grant.

The Minister of State also explained how the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan will save entrepreneurs time and money by cutting government red tape. The plan includes 90 common sense reforms, in areas ranging from tax and payroll to labour, transport and cross-border trade.

"Our government remains focused on what matters to Canadians: jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Minister of State Bernier. "Economic Action Plan 2013 is working to create the best possible business environment for entrepreneurs."

In Canada, SMEs account for 99 percent of companies, employ 60 percent of working Canadians and contribute about 40 percent to the GDP, proving to be economic drivers and important sources of job creation.