The Ontario government is gaining access to innovative new ideas and supporting job growth by improving the way it works with small and medium-sized businesses, Minister of Government Services Gerry Phillips said Friday.
"Small and medium-sized businesses are the fastest-growing part of the Ontario economy. By giving them the tools they need to be more competitive, we are strengthening our economy," said Mr. Phillips upon the release of the Doing Business with the Ontario Government Task Force Report.
Earlier this year, task force chair Wayne Arthurs, MPP for Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge, and fellow MPPs Tony Wong, Phil McNeely and Judy Marsales travelled around the province and asked small and medium-sized business owners and operators how the government could improve the way it does business with smaller firms.
"Small and medium-sized businesses have a wealth of ideas and knowledge," said Mr. Arthurs. "This report will help us tap innovative ways to do business and improve the way we deliver service."
Based on the consultations, the task force developed 11 recommendations to address - in a practical way - the concerns expressed by the small and medium-sized business community. The recommendations are first steps that can be implemented right away to provide small and medium-sized firms with easier access to government procurement opportunities.
Of the 11 recommendations, six will be implemented immediately. They include such actions as holding regular procurement training and information sessions and requiring ministries to offer vendor debriefings.
Longer-term recommendations include creating a database for vendors to submit information about their companies. That information can be accessed by government and larger companies, which may provide subcontract work.
"The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is pleased that the government is moving to find ways to tap more small businesses for their innovative and cost-effective goods and services," said Judith Andrew, vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for Ontario. "As we discussed with Government Services Minister Phillips and task force chair MPP Wayne Arthurs, it is important to settle on a way to measure small business access to government business, and to get an early start on implementing the important longer-term recommendations."
The report is available at the Ministry of Government Services' website at www.mgs.gov.on.ca.
