Small Business Advisory Council established

Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Kelvin Parsons today announced appointments to the newly established Small Business Advisory Council.

"The small business community is a vital and dynamic part of our economy whose potential has yet to be fully tapped, particularly in rural areas," said Minister Parsons. "That is why the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed in its Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth to give greater priority and attention to small business development in its overall economic development agenda, including the creation of a Small Business Advisory Council."

There exists more than 20,000 small business enterprises in Newfoundland and Labrador today, making up almost 95 per cent of all businesses in the province and accounting for more than one-third of total employment in Newfoundland and Labrador. The small business sector has created 80 per cent of all new jobs in the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador over the past decade.

The Small Business Advisory Council will act as a "sounding board" for new small business development initiatives being contemplated by government and provide ongoing advice to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development on appropriate measures government should consider to help stimulate and grow the small business sector.

"The appointments made to the Small Business Advisory Council announced today build on an aggressive new small business agenda being implemented by government and I look forward to working closely with the council as we continue to make things happen in this area," added Minister Parsons.

Members of the council represent a broad range of small business enterprises from across the province and include the following representatives:

• Mr. Harvey Short, Paradise (Chair)
• Mr. Darrell C. Bennett, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• Ms. Karen M. Matthews, Corner Brook
• Mr. Des Dillon, Gander
• Mr. Graham Wood, Grand Bank
• Mr. Gordon Hopkins, Bay Roberts
• Ms. Cathy Ivany, St. John's
• Ms. Nena Abundo, St. John's
• Dr. Marilyn Thompson, St. John�s
• Mr. George Yates, Springdale
• Mr. Brad George, St. John�s

October 20 to 27 is being celebrated as Small Business Week in Canada.

Media contact: Tracy Kenney, ITRD Communications (709) 729-2257

2002 10 21                                       11:00 a.m.