Small businesses are the backbone of Canada's economy, driving innovation, creating good jobs and strengthening communities across the country. That's why the Government of Canada is taking concrete steps to ensure they have better access to federal opportunities.
Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), on behalf of the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant, and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, highlighted a new set of targeted simplification measures that respond directly to concerns raised by small businesses about the complexity, cost and time required to participate in federal procurement.
In launching the first series of measures under the new Small Business Procurement Program (SBPP), the Government of Canada will work to remove long-standing barriers that have made federal contracting difficult for smaller firms and to ensure they are better positioned to compete for and win government work. These changes will modernize procurement processes, improve access to opportunities for small businesses and ensure these businesses can play a stronger role in delivering federal priorities while supporting jobs, innovation and a more resilient Canadian economy.
In concert with the SBBP, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) will leverage the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program, which will help connect federal departments with Canadian firms to develop, test and commercialize their innovative technologies.
The ISC program will create an innovation pathway into federal procurement to support innovation-focused procurement opportunities for Canadian small businesses and help the government meet its operational needs. Bolstered by $79.9 million in funding over five years, the ISC will help Canadian innovators develop, test and validate new technologies by providing opportunities to work directly with the federal government as a first customer. It will also expand support for Canadian small businesses to participate in federal procurement, making it easier for them to secure contracts, demonstrate their products at scale and build the track record needed to access new domestic and international markets.
Measures announced today respond to feedback from small businesses seeking to work with the federal government and are designed to remove barriers and create a more accessible, predictable and efficient procurement experience.
Building on Public Services and Procurement Canada's procurement modernization initiatives introduced in 2017, the SBPP and the ISC program will reduce complexity, shorten bid preparation times, improve the ability of Canadian small businesses to compete successfully for federal contracts, and support the government's Buy Canadian Policy.
By giving more Canadian small businesses a fair shot at federal contracts, these measures will help unlock growth and create good jobs across the country. They will strengthen Canada's industrial base by building more resilient domestic supply chains and ensuring that government purchasing power is working harder to support Canadian businesses and communities. At a time when Canada is focused on building a stronger economy, these measures will help more entrepreneurs turn opportunity into growth and success.
