Transcript Entrepreneurship & Small Business Policy in Canada Small Business Policy Branch Industry Canada Presentation to OECD Entrepreneurship Indicators Workshop October 27, 2005

Entrepreneurship & Small
Business Policy in Canada
Small Business Policy Branch
Industry Canada
Presentation to
OECD Entrepreneurship
Indicators Workshop
October 27, 2005
Contents of Presentation
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Context
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Entrepreneurship Policy in Canada
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1. Add title of section 1
Canada’s Small Business Policy Agenda
2. Add title of section 2
3. Add titleof
of Entrepreneurship
section 3
Indicators
and Small
4. Add titleinofCanada
section 4
Business
5. Add title of section 5
6. Add title of section 6
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Entrepreneurship Policy in Canada: Context
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Canada had a National Entrepreneurship Policy 1989-1993
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Goal was to encourage an entrepreneurship culture
Promote entrepreneurship as an option
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Income support, e.g. Self-employment Assistance Program
 Community development e.g. Community Futures for rural
regions to encourage self-sufficiency
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Comprehensive review of small business policy in 1994 developed
by departments of Industry and Finance shifted emphasis
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Entrepreneurship policy funded federally but developed and
delivered at regional and local level
Small business policy revamped at national level, with emphasis
on encouraging growth of small businesses
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Current Entrepreneurship Policy
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Diverse pattern across Canada regarding information, delivery and
development
National information system for potential and actual entrepreneurs
(Business Canada) via entrepreneurship centres also provide
path-finding
Programs administered by four (federally funded) regional
agencies (Atlantic, Western, North Ontario, Quebec)
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Delivery vehicles for programs are typically Community Futures
Development Corporations
Community development is an important objective for encouraging
entrepreneurship
While funded federally, program content and delivery thus reflect
local diversity
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Entrepreneurship Policy: Activities
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Activities include
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Business planning and start-up
Technical assistance;
Financial assistance; repayable loans, loan loss guarantees
Improving telecommunications infrastructure in remote areas
Target groups:
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Aboriginal entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs
Young entrepreneurs
Rural businesses; community development
Francophone entrepreneurs
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Canada’s Small Business Policy Agenda (Federal)
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Based on two underlying principles
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Non-intervention – let markets function freely; fill market gaps
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Use business-like principles of management e.g. partnering,
tracking program effectiveness; client-oriented services
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Subsidies program and grants have been largely eliminated
Shift towards cost-recovery and repayable contributions
Focus is now on creating the right environment for business
start-up and firm growth.
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Provision of strategic information
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Framework policies that protect the public interest while fostering
innovation and competitiveness, fiscal situation; taxation measures
for small business; government regulations
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Small Business Policy: Current Priorities
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Supporting Innovation
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Bridging Financing Gaps
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Public-private sector advisory committee tasked with making measurable
reductions in regulatory burden (Paperwork Burden Reduction Initiative)
Expansion into International Markets
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Improve access to debt financing by start-ups, young entrepreneurs,
knowledge-based firms and aboriginal entrepreneurs
Easing Regulatory Burden
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Improve investment & adoption of advanced technologies by small
businesses; support networks for commercialization
Reduce financial risks of exporting; improved information on exporting
opportunities, through export development & trade commissioners
Investing in Skills
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Addressing management skills via Mentoring and training programs
delivered through the regional development agencies (RDAs); youth
mentoring (CYBF)
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Developing Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Indicators in Canada
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Current data available
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General surveys number of firms, entry/exit; employment, selfemployment, remuneration
New specialized surveys
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Financing Data Initiative;
 Survey of Regulatory Compliance Costs
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Long term research projects
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Growth firms (universe of firms) characteristics
 Innovation in services, manufacturing
 Exporting activities
 Links between exports, innovation, finance and growth
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Further information on Website http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/sbresearch
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Developing Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Indicators
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Potential other entrepreneurship indicators
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Local and regional bodies can provide the following
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Number of clients;
Nascent or aspiring entrepreneurs;
Stage of business
Medium of inquiry;
Financial assistance;
Program utilization;
Business planning
Has the potential to provide finer information on entrepreneurship
To what extent are these measures relevant to this project?
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