Minister of State Bernier Crosses Country to Meet Entrepreneurs Before Budget

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 24, 2012) - The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), made a pre-budget consultation stop in London today. The Minister of State participated in a round-table discussion with local business leaders and toured the Convergence Centre at the University of Western Ontario's Research Park. The Minister of State was accompanied by Susan Truppe, Member of Parliament for London North Centre.

"With uncertainty abroad, small business owners across Canada have been telling me they want a stable economic environment at home," said Minister of State Bernier. "I am crossing the country to listen to entrepreneurs, and I will be taking their feedback to Ottawa as part of the budget process."

Earlier this month and last, Minister of State Bernier took part in similar round tables in Kitchener, Montreal, Winnipeg and Brampton. He plans to meet with members of the chamber of commerce in Saint-Georges-de-Beauce and business leaders in Quebec City in the coming days.

"Small business leaders have been telling me that our low-tax plan for jobs and growth is working," said Minister of State Bernier. "We are in a better position today because of the actions our government took before the global crisis: lowering taxes, paying down debt, reducing red tape and promoting free trade and innovation."

The Government of Canada will continue implementing the Next Phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan to support jobs and growth. The federal government will focus on improving the well-being of Canadians by securing Canada's economic recovery, eliminating the deficit and making investments that will preserve our economic advantage now and in the future.