Mr. Speaker, the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph, known as Canada's Technology Triangle, had the honour yesterday to host the federal Minister of Industry.
During his visit the minister announced a new government program to help the economy's engine of growth, small business. As a result of an ongoing dialogue with this sector, the minister announced a $50 million program providing financing in addition to bank loans.
It is appropriate that the minister should discuss small and medium sized business in Canada's Technology Triangle since this area is one of the country's success stories in the new knowledge based economy in which this sector is key.
I join with the members for Cambridge, Guelph and Waterloo in thanking the minister for his recognition of the needs of small and medium sized business.