IDEA-SME Program in CanadaIDEA-SME is a financial assistance program that fosters the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including social economy enterprises, in all Quebec regions. It also helps SMEs to become more competitive on world markets. ProgramsThe programs listed below are available in every region of Quebec. We would encourage you to visit the Web page for your business office to find out about specific programs in your region. The program promotes the development of enterprises, helps them to become more competitive on world markets and provides them with access to a wide range of economic programs and services. IDEA-SME’s areas of activity are :Innovation. Testing and experimentation to enhance natural resources . Poductivity . e-business . Market development and export . Social economy capacity building. Entrepreneurship and business climate development. Regional Strategic Initiative (RSI)The program promotes the implementation of projects and initiatives that support the economic strengths of a region. It was designed on the basis of the following priorities, according to the specific needs of the regions such as increased use of technology by SMEs, development of tourist attractions drawing power and international reach'adjustment to the new global economic environment. For more details www.dec.gc.ca/ Youth Employment Strategy The Youth Employment Strategy (YES), http://www.youth.gc.ca/ is the Government of Canada's commitment to help Canadian youth get the work experience, knowledge, skills and information they need to prepare for, and participate in, the world of work. The YES also assists employers who hire youth. The Strategy is delivered through the collective efforts of fourteen Government of Canada departments and agencies, and is spearheaded by the Department of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSDC). YES brings together employment programs and services for youth, and initiatives created through partnerships with business, labour, industry, not-for-profit and voluntary organizations, Aboriginal and rural and remote communities, and other levels of government. Since 1997, the Government of Canada has helped over 3 million young Canadians through the YES and other targeted youth programs. NRC-IRAP delivers two youth initiatives on behalf of the YES. NRC-IRAP's Internship Program with Innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Collaborative Research Internships Program provide firms with support to hire post-secondary graduates. Both firms and graduates benefit from these programs: firms benefit from the graduate's expertise in a diverse variety of disciplines and graduates gain valuable work experience that will help open the doors for future employment: Canadian e-Business Initiative The Canadian e-Business Initiative launches first study of its kind demonstrating potential of Internet to drive productivity in small and medium enterprises nationwide. Canadian businesses that adopt Internet Business Solutions (IBS) can realize financial benefits that include increasing revenues and reducing costs, which can lead to profit increases of as much as 150%, according to the Canadian Net Impact Study. Sponsored by the Canadian e-Business Initiative's Benchmarking and Metrics team and conducted in collaboration with Cisco Systems Canada Co., the Schulich School of Business at York University and IDC Canada, Net Impact Study Canada: The SME Experience is the first of two reports exploring the state of e-Business technology adoption in Canada. The second report Net Impact Study Canada: Global Competitiveness will explore how Canada compares globally upon its release early in 2003. Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP).
Canada's nearly two million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - are the key drivers of job and wealth creation in all sectors of the nation's economy. One of NRC's primary objectives in stimulating wealth creation in Canada is to link its diverse networks, programs and infrastructure to SMEs to help them access, develop and exploit new technologies and knowledge essential for their growth and prosperity. NRC's primary vehicle for stimulating the innovation capabilities of SMEs is its Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). Regarded worldwide as one of the best programs of its kind, NRC-IRAP is a vital component of NRC's innovation strategy and a cornerstone of Canada's innovation system Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan
The Federal Accountability Act was one of the Government's top five priorities on taking office. The Act, which makes substantive changes to 45 statutes and amends over 100 others, delivers on the Government's promise to put in place a five year lobbying ban, to eliminate corporate and union donations, and to protect whistleblowers, among other reforms. (See attached backgrounder entitled "Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan, Commitments and Actions" for more information). NRC-IRAP continues to provide a much-needed boost to start-up SMEs. In its almost 60 years of existence, the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) has helped thousands of small and medium enterprises find outlets for their innovative work - and the program is still going strong. It's all about technical expertise and advice, financial assistance, networking and partnering at an agency whose goal is a knowledge-based, innovative Canadian economy centred on science and technology. IRAP is the National Research Council's "public arm in the small business community," says Director General Dr. Tony Rahilly. And with two million SMEs across Canada driving wealth creation and generating jobs in all economic sectors, NRC-IRAP recognizes the role it plays in boosting Canada's economy, says Rahilly Net Impact SME Canada 2006 Net Impact SME Canada 2006 reports that the ICT infrastructures of small- and medium-sized businesses are becoming increasingly similar to those of larger enterprises - a shift fueled by the need for SMEs to strengthen their relationships with their customers and remain competitive. Meeting the demands of customers is cited as the primary driver of investment for almost a third of the study's respondents; 25 per cent of the companies cited increased competition Royal Bank of Canada
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