Small Business Week Celebrated in Manitoba – October 17 to 23, 2010

October 15, 2010

Winnipeg, Manitoba - The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State for Democratic Reform on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade, were at the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre today to officially launch Small Business Week 2010 in Manitoba.
Competitive, innovative small businesses play a key role in keeping Manitoba’s economy moving forward in an ever-changing marketplace.
“Our Government salutes the hard work and dedication of Western Canada’s entrepreneurs,” said Fletcher. “We understand that small businesses are key drivers of our economy, which is why we continue to support initiatives that promote growth and competition.”
“Small business is the cornerstone of our economy, adding value in all sectors and employing thousands of Manitobans,” said Bjornson. “As local, national and international economies continue to improve, the time is right for small businesses to take the Manitoba advantage and grow their business.”

This year’s theme for the week of celebrations which runs from October 17 – 23 is “Power Up Your Business. Invest. Innovate. Grow.” to reflect the rebounding global economy.
The Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre was established in 1998 to make it easier to deal with various levels of government by consolidating business information in one convenient service. Western Economic Diversification Canada and the provincial government are continuing to partner with the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre, the Business Development Bank of Canada and the Manitoba and Winnipeg Chambers of Commerce to provide a week of events across the province.

Some of the events and information sessions planned for Small Business Week in Manitoba include:

• supporting workplace diversity;
• how to buy a small business;
• how to brand your small business;
• blogging for small business; and
• marketing basics, marketing research and how to develop a marketing plan.

The Ministers also noted that this year, Small Business Week coincides with the global business forum “Centrallia”, which is being held in Winnipeg from October 20 to 22. Representatives from small businesses, chambers of commerce, economic development agencies and government trade representatives are coming to Winnipeg from around the world to connect and share information, ideas and opportunities for developing new business relationships.

Small and medium-sized businesses total 97.5 per cent of all Canadian companies and employ the majority of workers across the country.  A total of 95 per cent of the 103,192 small businesses in Manitoba as of December 2009 have less than 20 employees. Small Business Week is led by the Business Development Bank of Canada and pays tribute to the accomplishments of the owners and managers of small and medium-sized enterprises.
More information on Small Business Week activities in Manitoba is available at
http://www.canadabusiness.mb.ca/.