Harper Government Highlights Renewed Investment in Small Business Internship Program During Year of the Entrepreneur

NORTH BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 16, 2011) - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), 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 the Small Business Internship Program (SBIP).

"Our government's top priority is the economy," said Minister Clement. "Our investment in the SBIP is one of the ways in which we are helping entrepreneurs as well as creating jobs for post-secondary students. These young Canadians will gain valuable work experience while contributing to Canada's economic recovery." 

The SBIP creates opportunities for post-secondary students to gain first-hand experience with successful businesses and encourages the entrepreneurial spirit in our youth. A collaborative effort involving Canadian small businesses, post-secondary institutions and non-government organizations, the program offers post-secondary students valuable experience working on e-commerce projects.

"All of us at Nipissing University are proud to be part of this mutually beneficial internship initiative," said Lesley Lovett-Doust, President of Nipissing University. "This year, our students will be engaged in real-world projects that are of high priority for our community, Ontario and Canada. These interns will bring their knowledge of information and communication technologies to the business community and learn first-hand what it takes to be an entrepreneur and operate a small or medium-sized company." 

The SBIP is just one example of how the Harper Government is acting on its commitment to small and medium-sized businesses. Year two of Canada's Economic Action Plan introduced numerous measures to assist small businesses in the short term while positioning them for long-term growth, such as:

• introducing a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Innovation Commercialization Program to support small business innovation;

• keeping taxes low for Canadian entrepreneurs;

• creating the Vehicle and Equipment Financing Partnership to expand financing options and reduce red tape for small and medium-sized finance and leasing companies; and

• establishing the Red Tape Reduction Commission to review federal regulations in areas where reform is most needed to reduce the compliance burden, especially on small businesses, while safeguarding the health and safety of Canadians.

The SBIP helps small and medium-sized enterprises across Canada improve their productivity and competitiveness by hiring about 400 student interns annually to help with information and communication technologies projects. Through this program, the government is helping to deliver the stability needed to support and protect the economic well-being and financial security of Canadian workers and businesses. 

For more information on the SBIP and its delivery agencies, please visit the SBIP website (www.ic.gc.ca/sbip).