Minister Ng highlights support for businesses in Richmond Hill, Ontario that will help create well-paying middle class jobs

September 5, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) drive economic prosperity and create jobs for the middle class. Opening new markets and expanding existing international markets are central to Canada’s trade diversification strategy, which encourages Canadian businesses to tap into new markets, reach new customers and create well-paying jobs.

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, was in Richmond Hill, Ontario, today to highlight programs and services, such as the CanExport program and the global network of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, that companies could benefit from to grow their exports.

Minister Ng met with entrepreneurs from companies who were participating at the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre’s Starter Company Plus program to encourage them to consider the potential of expanding into overseas markets.

The CanExport expansion is a key component of Canada’s trade diversification strategy to invest a total of $1.1 billion over six years to help Canadian companies succeed. With these investments, the government continues to make Canada the most well-connected trading economy worldwide, creating more jobs at home as a result.

Quotes

“Canada is a trading nation, and enabling export growth from small and medium-sized businesses is a key part of our export diversification strategy. That’s why we’re making these significant investments to help Canadian businesses access new markets.”

- Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion

Quick facts

Since 2016, the CanExport SMEs program has supported more than 1,400 Canadian SMEs with 1,700 projects to expand their markets and increase export activities in more than 115 markets around the world.
Since 2016, the CanExport Community Investments program has funded 148 organizations across Canada with over $16 million in support of foreign direct investment attraction, retention and expansion.
Since 2016, the CanExport SMEs program has supported 544 projects for Ontario companies, for a total funding of over $15.6 million.
The 2018 Fall Economic Statement announced investments of $290 million over five years to help Canadian businesses export and grow and to strengthen the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and enhance the support it provides to Canadian exporters.

Associated links

Contacts

Michael Jones
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade Diversification
343-550-2368
[email protected]

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
[email protected]
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international trade - Global Affairs Canada