Minister’s Statement on Small Business Week

NOTE: The following is a statement read in the legislature today, October 19, by Economic Development Minister Susan Corkum-Greek

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to officially recognize and acknowledge Small Business Week in Nova Scotia.

We need and value the significant contribution that businesses make to our communities and our economy. When they succeed, we succeed.

Small businesses are employers. They drive our economy forward by providing jobs for Nova Scotians.

Mr. Speaker, the past year and a half has presented challenges never seen before for all businesses. I want to thank this important sector for their commitment to work through these extraordinary circumstances.

COVID-19 continues to have real public health and economic impacts. But through it all, Nova Scotia businesses have been front and centre, making significant sacrifices to protect their employees, customers and communities in the fight against the global pandemic.

It meant changing the way they do business.

Mr. Speaker, the theme of Small Business Week 2021 is Digital Adoption.

During the pandemic, many consumer behaviours have changed, such as moving to online shopping, even when buying local. That is why we are supporting businesses to pivot to the digital economy.

Many small businesses have already shifted, adapted and persevered.

Through uncertain times, the have demonstrated their resilience.

And proven that there is no better time to support local.

Mr. Speaker, our government wants money flowing around the economy to stay here.

We believe money spent locally benefits all of Nova Scotia.

Mr. Speaker, our government's made-in-Nova Scotia solutions to help grow the economy also include putting more money in employees' pockets by giving employers a choice of paying corporate taxes or increasing the pay of their workforce.

Small business owners are always learning, innovating and thinking creatively, and that will serve our province well when we emerge from the pandemic.

We know that supporting Nova Scotia businesses during COVID-19 is a critical part of helping them emerge in a strong position and will support Nova Scotia’s economic recovery.

Mr. Speaker, we live in a province where anything is possible. I want to acknowledge the team at Meta Materials on their recent huge milestone. This market “win” demonstrates that world-class companies, technologies and teams are being built here in Nova Scotia.

Mr. Speaker, we can do even more. We will work to support innovation-driven, green and sustainable businesses.

Our government will listen to small businesses across the province and in all sectors to get their feedback on all potential ways to further support them in taking actions to reduce emissions, including through rebates, targeted investments and other supports.

Mr. Speaker, our government is focused and committed over the next four years to give everything we have to make life better for our business community and all Nova Scotians.

We have our challenges … but we have such incredible opportunities.

Working together, we can get the job done.

Our government will listen, will respect, and will work with our business community to put Nova Scotia in a better place than we were before the pandemic.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Nova Scotians to continue to support and respect small businesses in their own backyard while we work together to beat the pandemic’s fourth wave.

Thank you.