The Canadian Technology Network is a national network of people and organizations who help small- and medium-sized businesses to solve technology problems.

The CTN provides a comprehensive, easily accessed, user friendly advisory service that links businesses with technology needs with people in technology-related organizations who can provide technical and business support.

The CTN provides assistance and services in dealing with issues such as:

The Canadian Technology Network is a partnership of industry associations, research organizations, governments, and universities and colleges. By linking their existing information networks, CTN members provide business people with quick and easy access to data, intelligence, and services on technology and related business services. The Network helps firms identify, acquire, and adopt the best practices and technologies from across Canada and around the world.

Creating the Canadian Technology Network was one of the commitments we made to small- and medium-sized business operators during the 1993 election campaign. Rapid changes in technology present great opportunities, but also great challenges, to small business owners who may not have the time or expertise to take advantage of appropriate new technologies. Establishing the Network is one more example of the federal government’s commitment to assisting small businesses in Canada.

For more information, the CTN can be reached by telephone at 1-800-286-0001.

The federal government recently launched “Strategis”, the largest business-oriented World Wide Web site in Canada. Strategis is composed of six information categories, and contains 60,000 reports, 500,000 pages of searchable text, and links to Canadian and international business information databases. Strategis provides small- and medium-sized businesses with information in areas such as:

Strategis was developed using Canadian technologies and expertise, and is part of our drive to help Canada’s small- and medium-sized businesses compete and excel in the information age.

The House of Commons recently passed Bill C-12, creating Canada’s new Employment Insurance system.

Employment Insurance marks a complete overhaul of how we provide income support and opportunity for Canadians who lose their jobs. Insurance benefits are enhanced for low-income families, while five new “employment tools” will provide active means for individuals to get back into the workforce.

Recently, the federal government offered provincial governments the option of delivering these employment tools. We recognize that labour force development lies within provincial jurisdiction, so where provinces wish to deliver services, we are making approximately $2 billion per year available to them. The arrangements will vary from province to province, depending on each government’s resources, needs, and priorities. However, there will be signed agreements that outline the results to be achieved, in terms of job creation and savings to the system. We are confident that this flexible approach, which represents a fundamental overhaul of how our federalism works, will result in more efficient and responsive services to Canadians.

Employment Insurance contains many elements and principles that are of direct interest to small business. One of the immediate impacts will be the reduction in premium rates. The overall premium rate is being reduced for employees and employers. Premiums will also be reduced by lowering the Maximum Insurable Earning. To better reflect the wage structure in Canada, the MIE will be owered to $39,000 a year. In total, these premium reductions will save business owners $750 million per year.

As well, Employment Insurance will drastically reduce the paperwork and administrative burden faced by small business owners. First hour coverage and the elimination of a weekly maximum for insurable earnings, mean that filling out a Record of Employment will be a simple matter of recording an employee’s first and last day of work, total earnings, and total hours. No more will there be the need to consult a 35-page instruction book.

While first-hour coverage means that some employers will have to pay premiums for part-time workers who were previously exempt, we have taken steps to balance that out. I have already mentioned the premium rate reductions contained in the bill. Employment Insurance also includes a transition premium refund plan for small businesses that see their premiums rise more than $500. Those businesses will be eligible for refunds of up to $5,000 per year in 1997 and 1998. This fund is expected to benefit around 300,000 small businesses. It is important to note, though, that 77% of small businesses will see their premium costs either stay the same or be reduced under the new system.

Because the system encourages work effort, it will also be easier for small business to find the workers they need. First-hour coverage and the new method of calculating benefits will now make it to an individual’s benefit to take all hours of work that are available.

The “employment tools” will also benefit employers. Income supplements will make it easier for individuals to accept lower-paying jobs, while wage subsidies will assist employers cover the salary costs for Employment Insurance recipients they hire. The community job creation initiatives will see the federal government seek partnerships with the business sector to create long-term jobs consistent with local economic development objectives. We have already seen a number of federal initiatives that foster partnerships with the private sector, and there is an extremely good record of long-term job creation. This approach is needed and we know that it will work.