, seconded by the member for Courtenay—Alberni, moved for leave to introduce Bill C-291, An Act to amend the Department of Industry Act (small businesses).
She said: Mr. Speaker, I am very honoured today to introduce a private member's bill that seeks to amend the Department of Industry Act with regard to the promotion of small businesses.
I want to thank my dear friend, the hon. member for Courtenay—Alberni, for seconding this bill.
I think most members here agree that small businesses are the backbone of Canada's economy. They employ the most people. In every one of our communities and across Canada, they are responsible for more than half of the economic activity.
I presented this bill before, but it failed to get past second reading. Let me give some context. I first heard about what gets called the “think small first” bill from friends of mine who are in the Green parties in the European Union and the European Parliament. It was adopted in the European Parliament in 2008. The basic principle is that before any law passes a Parliament, there is screening to see whether there will be unintended consequences of a piece of legislation or regulation that are negative for small businesses. It is an advanced review that looks through a lens to see whether a law is going to create more unnecessary hurdles for small businesses to succeed.
It calls on the government and the Minister of Industry to protect and promote the role of small businesses within the Canadian economy. I certainly hope all of my colleagues here will see this bill passed unanimously, because small businesses matter.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)