News — Part 1
Jobs and Growth the Priorities as Industry Minister Hosts Pre-Budget Consultations
Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Toronto, Ontario, January 25, 2012—The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, today took part in a pre-budget round table discussion with business leaders from the information and communications technologies sector. This is one of a series of pre-budget round tables that has also included a stop earlier this month in Montréal. The Minister's primary focus is to engage private sector stakeholders on how best to ensure that Canada's economy continues to produce jobs and growth in a difficult global economy.
"Budget 2012 will maintain our focus on jobs and economic growth while reducing the deficit and returning to balance in the medium term," said Minister Paradis. "Making Canada a world-leading digital economy remains one of my main priorities and will result in our economy becoming more productive and globally competitive."
Cross-country consultations with members of the government will continue in the weeks before Budget 2012, with venues and details to be announced as they become available.
In order to ensure that all Canadians can participate in this process, the government has also launched online pre-budget consultations. Those wishing to make submissions can do so by visiting the Consulting with Canadians web page.
Read the full text of the news release at the Industry Canada website.
BackMinister Paradis Addresses Annual Conference of the International Institute of Communications Canada
Posted on Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Ottawa, November 29, 2011 — Today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, addressed the Annual Conference of the International Institute of Communications (IIC) Canada, where he spoke of the upcoming spectrum auctions and the review of foreign investment restrictions in telecommunications.
"Our government wants to get the decisions before us right, so that Canadian consumers have access to a wide range of products and services at competitive prices," said Minister Paradis. "Given its importance, and the serious impact this will have on the lives of Canadians for years to come, this is not a decision that I, or this government, will be taking lightly."
Read the full text of the news release at the Industry Canada website.
BackGovernment of Canada invests in Canadian business innovation
Posted on Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
Ottawa, November 14, 2011 — The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, announced an $80 million investment over three years to help accelerate the adoption of information and communications technologies by small and medium–sized businesses. The pilot initiative demonstrates Government support for the digital economy by promoting the adoption and use of digital technologies to foster innovation and productivity and to create jobs and long–term economic growth.
"The Government of Canada is investing in the people and ideas that drive the digital economy," said Minister Paradis. "This new program will help more than 600 small– and medium–sized enterprises integrate innovative technologies into their businesses and create jobs and economic growth."
The Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program will assist Canada's overall productivity and create market growth and opportunity. This Budget 2011 investment in support of Canada's Digital Economy Strategy is the latest in a series of legislative and program initiatives, reflecting the Government's emphasis on the digital economy. It provides a framework to encourage the private sector to adopt new technologies, and to develop the digital workforce of tomorrow.
Read the full text of the news release at the NRC–IRAP website.
BackMinister of State Bernier Announces Permanent Funding for BizPaL Program
Posted on Thursday, October 20th, 2011
Ottawa, October 19, 2011— The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today announced that BizPaL is becoming a permanent service available to small and medium–sized enterprise (SME) owners.
"The Government of Canada supports SMEs by putting in place initiatives that enable them and entrepreneurs to continue to grow and create jobs," said Minister of State Bernier. "BizPaL is a concrete example of an initiative designed to cut through the red tape that small business owners encounter."
BizPaL is an innovative and cost-effective one–stop online service that provides simplified access to information on permits and licences that entrepreneurs and small business owners need to establish and run their businesses.
Read the full text of the news release at the Industry Canada website.
BackBDC earmarks $200 million to help entrepreneurs invest in ICT
Posted on Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
Montreal, October 17 2011 — The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) today announced that it is setting aside $200 million for loans to help entrepreneurs gear up with information and communications technology (ICT).
"We now know that ICT has a very real impact on small business productivity, innovation and competitiveness. In fact, much of the productivity problem in Canada can be attributed to insufficient investments in technology," explained Jean–René Halde, BDC President and Chief Executive Officer. "BDC is not claiming that it can solve this problem alone, but we believe that with our support a large number of entrepreneurs can get funds and consulting services to help them better integrate ICT more efficiently in their business model."
"Our government is pleased to announce this initiative as part of its digital economy strategy, which aims to make Canada a global leader. Greater adoption of digital technologies is a key element of our strategy, and their use is an effective driver of productivity and innovation across every sector," said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry. "We are committed to ensuring that the right conditions are in place for businesses to succeed, as they continue to create jobs and strengthen our economy."
Read the full text of the news release at the BDC website.
BackInvestment by Government of Canada Helps Start–up Company in Barrie
Posted on Friday, September 16th, 2011
Barrie, Ontario, September 15, 2011 — gShift Labs, a software company that provides better web search engine rankings for its customers, will further develop its innovative product, thanks to a new Government of Canada investment. The announcement was made today by Patrick Brown, Member of Parliament for Barrie, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
"Our government is committed to making sure the people, businesses and communities of southern Ontario have the tools they need to succeed," said MP Brown. "This investment in gShift will help the company grow and create new jobs."
Read the full text of the news release at the FedDev Ontario website.
BackGovernment of Canada Protecting Canadian Consumers and Businesses: Consultations Have Begun on Draft Regulations for Canada's Anti–Spam Legislation and Fight Spam Website Launches
Posted on Friday, August 5th, 2011
Québec City, Quebec, August 1, 2011 " The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, today called attention to the regulations pursuant to Canada's Anti–Spam Legislation that were pre–published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on July 9, 2011, for a 60–day consultation period and celebrated the launch of the Fight Spam website. On June 30, 2011, the Canadian Radio–television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) called for comments on its proposed regulations under the Act. The Act will likely come into force early in 2012.
"We are working to make Canada second to none in anti–spam legislation," said Minister Paradis. "This legislation will lead to a safer and more secure online environment, positioning Canada as a leader in the digital economy."
Read the full text of the news release at the Industry Canada website.
Minister Paradis Reaffirms Commitment to Canada's Digital Economy
Posted on Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
Toronto, Ontario, May 31, 2011 — In his first public address as Minister of Industry, the Honourable Christian Paradis reaffirmed the Government of Canada's commitment to a digital economy strategy.
"Our government is focused on what matters to Canadians " creating jobs and economic growth," said Minister Paradis. "That is why our government is ensuring Canada has a globally competitive telecom sector that supplies more markets with more innovative and new products and services."
"Our government considers a digital economy strategy to be one of its most important objectives," said Minister Paradis. "One of my first priorities is to sustain the momentum we have achieved to date."
Read the full text of the news release and the Minister's speaking points at the Industry Canada website: News release and speaking points.
Canada's Economic Action Plan supports job creation by investing in small businesses and students
Posted on Tuesday, March 15th, 2011
Montréal, Quebec, March 11, 2011 — The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), together with the Honourable Larry Smith, Senator, today highlighted that the Government of Canada has renewed its investment of $3.5 million to create hundreds of internships for post–secondary students across Canada through Canada's Small Business Internship Program (SBIP).
During 2011, the Year of the Entrepreneur, the Government of Canada has maintained its $3.5 million investment in SBIP to create 400 student internships across Canada for post–secondary students to improve the ICT capacity of SMEs and expose our youth to successful businesses.
Read the full text of the news release at the Industry Canada website.
Minister Clement announces investment to enhance broadband services in Muskoka
Posted on Thursday, February 17th, 2011
GRAVENHURST, Ontario, February 19, 2011 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced a Government of Canada investment to improve Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services in the Muskoka region.
"The Government of Canada is working with local organizations such as Muskoka Community Network to establish and expand broadband services that help to create new economic opportunities," said Minister Clement. "Today's announcement is providing communities and businesses in the Muskoka area with the tools they need to compete in world markets, promote tourism and help create jobs."
Muskoka Community Network (MCN) received FedNor funding of $295,000 to support its ongoing operations and implement a Community Atlas Portal.
Read the full text of the news release at the FedNor website.
Minister Clement Celebrates Canadian Research Excellence
Posted on Monday, February 14th, 2011
Ottawa, February 14, 2011 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and Suzanne Fortier, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), announced the winners of Canada's top natural sciences and engineering prizes awarded by NSERC.
"Our government is committed to developing, attracting and retaining the world's best researchers here in Canada," said Minister Clement. "We are proud to support NSERC as we honour our country's top natural scientists and engineers, and highlight the many ways in which their work is improving the lives of Canadians and people around the world."
Among the six prestigious prizes given today was the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, a $1 million grant that was awarded to Geoffrey Hinto, a renowned computer scientist from the University of Toronto.
Read the full text of the news release at the NSERC website.
NRC–IRAP invests in home–based telemedicine technology
Posted on Monday, January 24th, 2011
January 21, 2011 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, along with Terence Young, Member of Parliament for Oakville today announced that patients and caregivers in the region may soon benefit from a new personal, in–home medication technology thanks to an investment in PharmaTrust Inc., an Oakville–based business.
"Our government is pleased to be able to support the inventive work going on at PharmaTrust," said Minister Clement. "Through partnerships like these, we are supporting the development of innovative technologies which not only benefit our Canadian economy, but also help to improve the quality of life for Canadians from coast to coast to coast."
Through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC–IRAP) PharmaTrust Inc. will receive up to $300,000 to develop MedHome, a personal device which will help patients safely and effectively manage their medications. Funding will also contribute to the enhancement of the company's current MedCentre infrastructure which makes use of advanced robotics, scanning and video–conference technology, to connect patients in real–time to a pharmacist in another location.
Read the full text of the news release at the National Research Council's website.