Support for Small Business Online

COQUITLAM, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan. 20, 2015) - Industry Canada

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East, spoke to an audience of Vancouver-area small business owners and entrepreneurs at the launch of the Facebook Small Business Boost program. The Minister underscored the Harper Government's efforts to ensure that the right conditions are in place for entrepreneurs and small business owners to start a business and create jobs in the digital economy.

Minister Findlay noted the importance of social media and digital adoption in helping small businesses attract new customers and succeed. She further outlined how the government's plan for the digital economy, under Digital Canada 150, is creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

Facebook's Small Business Boost is a networking and information event organized by Facebook's Small Business Team to show local business owners best practices and strategies on how they can use Facebook to help grow and manage their businesses. The event features discussions with local companies that have used Facebook to find new customers and become more engaged with existing customers.

Quick facts

• Small and medium-sized businesses represent 99.8 percent of all businesses in Canada, account for nearly 9 of every 10 jobs in the private sector, and contribute 39 percent to our private sector gross domestic product.
• Under Digital Canada 150, the Business Development Bank of Canada will allocate an additional $200 million to support small and medium-sized businesses with digital technology adoption and an additional $300 million in venture capital for companies in the ICT sector.
• Support for the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program will increase to $100 million to help entrepreneurs take the next step in developing their businesses.
• The new Small Business Job Credit is expected to save small businesses more than $550 million over the next two years.
• The Government of Canada has lowered the corporate income tax rate from over 22 percent in 2001 to 15 percent in 2012, making it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises to grow, prosper and create jobs.

Quotes

"There is a world-class small business community here in British Columbia. And with Vancouver recently being named the most entrepreneurial city in the country by Futurpreneur Canada, this is an ideal region to launch Facebook's Small Business Boost program designed to help grow small businesses. Through our government's Digital Canada 150 strategy, we are ensuring small businesses across the country can access the skills and opportunities they need to thrive and grow in the digital economy."

- The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry

"Encouraging economic opportunities in an interconnected global economy is a priority and part of Digital Canada 150, our government's plan to help our country succeed in the digital age. We are investing to help our businesses-especially small and medium-sized businesses-adopt digital technologies, access venture capital, take on interns and much more. Our goal is to position this country's businesses among the world's leaders in adopting digital technologies."

- The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue

"Facebook is committed to helping small business owners in Canada grow their business locally, nationally and globally. Technology and the Internet have become essential drivers of growth and jobs around the world-and the backbone of a new global knowledge economy. In addition to being a platform for app development and a catalyst for connectivity, Facebook democratizes opportunity for Canadian businesses to advertise their products and services, no matter their size, location, industry or technical sophistication."

- Jordan Banks, Global Head of Vertical Strategy and Managing Director, Facebook Canada

"This is a great opportunity for the Tri-Cities and Metro Vancouver-connecting our local business with social media giants like Facebook. Helping businesses evolve with new social media marketing tools and strategies is vital to the growth of our regional and local economy. We are pleased to have ministers Moore and Findlay involved with this initiative."

- Michael Hind, Executive Director, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce

"Online sales and service is the key to growth for small businesses like ours. It allows us to expand our sales for minimal cost and reach a highly targeted audience, while also giving us the opportunity to provide a higher level of customer service to our clients."

- Jude Brown, Pomme Natural Market

Associated links

- Digital Canada 150 website

- Canada Business Network

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