For Immediate Release
October 20, 2008
TIME TO CELEBRATE OXFORD’S SMALL BUSINESSES

QUEEN’S PARK – As Small Business Week begins Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford, commended the many hard-working people who own and operate small businesses across the County of Oxford for their contributions to the local economy and their communities.

“Small businesses are in every corner of this riding and throughout rural Ontario,” said Hardeman.  “They provide some of the highest quality products and services you could find.  They also contribute in many other ways by supporting recreational and sports programs and volunteering in the community.”

Small Business Week takes place from October 20-24. The current economic climate and excessive government red tape have made it increasingly difficult for small business to grow.

“Despite the numerous economic challenges they are faced with, small businesses continue to fuel our local economy and provide jobs,” said Hardeman. “Having run a small business in Oxford I know first hand the opportunities and the challenges that our entrepreneurs face.”

Hardeman said that to help small businesses the government should support the motion introduced by Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, that outlined a simple, cost-free remedy to reduce the ratio of journeyman trades persons required for each apprentice from three-to-one to one-to-one.  Currently, Ontario’s ratios are far behind most provinces, hurting small businesses looking to provide employment and training for would-be apprentices.

“Given the current economic challenges it is more important than ever that the provincial government works to create a climate that will provide as many opportunities as possible for small businesses, including those in the skilled trades, to move forward,” said Hardeman.

Hardeman indicated that the Premier and the Minister of Finance should be addressing these concerns in the fall economic statement which will be presented on Wednesday October 22.
“Dalton McGuinty has an opportunity to take some bold steps to create jobs and help our businesses succeed,” Hardeman added.  “This includes reducing the burdensome regulations, red tape and taxes on small business.”

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For more information, contact:
Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford
(416) 325-1239