Mr. Speaker, October 25 to 31 is Small Business Week in Canada. Small business represents one of our most important areas of economic activity. In fact small business is responsible for 43% of private sector output.
Small business is also a major job creator. More than 50% of private sector employment comes from small business. In the past year 430,000 new jobs have been created. Over 70% of these jobs were created by small business.
The federal government has an important role to play in supporting small business in Canada. Across the country we have set up Canada community investment plans, held local small business info fairs, opened one stop shop business service centres and supported projects under the industrial research assistance program.
These programs support the small business people and entrepreneurs who create economic growth and jobs in Canada. I salute them for their efforts.