SME and Entrepreneurship Policy in Canada
SMEs and entrepreneurs make an important contribution to the Canadian economy. SMEs account for 60% of total employment, and Canada performs very well across many measures of small business generation, growth and innovation. However, further increases in productivity in medium-sized firms, an increase in SME exports, a greater business start-up rate and an increased number of high-growth firms could bring substantial benefits for the national economy.
This report identifies several areas where new policy approaches could help achieve these objectives. Framework conditions for small business could be improved in business taxation, public procurement, access to financing and the commercialisation of research. New and extended programmes could be introduced in domains including entrepreneurship education, management advice and consultancy, and workforce skills development. A major effort is recommended to prioritise women's entrepreneurship, including by supporting social enterprises, and federal support could be offered to support the exchange of information on best practice SME regulations and programmes among provinces and territories. All this could be brought together and co-ordinated through the umbrella of a national strategy and a lead agency for SME and entrepreneurship policy.
The local dimension of SME and entrepreneurship policy in Canada
This chapter presents evidence on regional variations in small business and entrepreneurship activities and conditions, implying a need for some spatial differentiation of policy. It highlights the key mechanisms in place in Canada for spatial tailoring of small business policy. It also assesses mechanisms for co-ordination of small business policy between the federal and regional and local levels. The chapter points to the actions of provincial and territorial governments and the role of the federal Regional Development Agencies in tailoring small business policy to local needs. It also points to effective policy co-ordination mechanisms through the Regional Development Agencies, co-location of related business development infrastructures and supports on the ground and the co-ordination of provincial legislation. It highlights the need for further action to improve and harmonise provincial regulations affecting small businesses and support the exchange of local policy good practices.