Mr. Speaker, October 23 to 29 is Small Business Week in Ontario. The week is sponsored by the Federal Business Development Bank in partnership with many local private and public sector organizations that promote entrepreneurship.
It is no surprise to anyone in this House that small business is critical to the Canadian economy. Eight of ten new jobs in Canada come from the small business sector. It employs 4.2 million Canadians and accounts for 37 per cent of the country's employment.
This week throughout Ontario the FBDB will be giving a series of seminars and luncheons which will promote small business, educate participants and pay tribute to the men and women who make this province successful.
We owe a debt to the small business men and women of this country who daily risk everything they have and in doing so create jobs and economic growth for Canada.