Emerging from the pandemic, supporting small business resilience and growth has never been more important and is a key theme for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) annual Small Business: Too Big To Ignore campaign. The OCC is proud to partner with Desjardins to underscore the importance of small business success to support the province’s economic prosperity during Canadian Small Business Week from October 16-22, 2022.
“Ontario’s small businesses have shown tremendous strength and resilience throughout the pandemic. This Small Business Week, we are proud to partner with Desjardins to celebrate their hard-work, innovation, and adaptability, as well as advocate for the supports necessary to bolster small business success,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, OCC. “98 % of all employer businesses in Canada are small businesses, yet they continue to face unique challenges related to accessing talent, capital, and markets. It is more important than ever that public policy focuses on removing red tape and other barriers to ensure they can continue to support our labour market and economy.”
Small business owners across the province continue to grapple with supply chain constraints, labour shortages, and inflation, impacting business predictability and their bottom line. To build small business resilience, an emphasis should be placed on workforce development strategies, infrastructure investments and technological adoption.
“We are delighted to partner with the OCC to celebrate the extraordinary work of small businesses across the province. At Desjardins, we recognize that small businesses are at the heart of our local economies and are vital to the communities they serve,” said Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group. “As North Americas largest financial cooperative, we continue to develop products and services that will improve the economic and social well-being of our society. We generate partnerships that align with these values and connect our members and clients with the resources they need to grow and succeed.”
