November 12, 2018
Larnaca, Cyprus
Landing in Cyprus en route to Singapore for the ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau took the opportunity to meet with President Anastasiades of Cyprus.
The prime minister and the president remarked on the significance of the 100th anniversary of Armistice ceremonies in Paris, which they both attended. They also recalled the deep history of Canadian peacekeeping in Cyprus.
The two leaders further exchanged views on the mutual economic benefits of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The leaders reaffirmed their mutual interest to continue strengthening bilateral relations.
Statement by the Prime Minister on Global Entrepreneurship Week
November 12, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement marking Global Entrepreneurship Week, which runs from November 12 to 18:
“Entrepreneurs drive Canada’s economy forward. Through their ingenuity and hard work, they create millions of jobs, help strengthen the middle class, and generate economic growth that improves our lives and keeps our communities strong, competitive, and prosperous.
“During Global Entrepreneurship Week, we celebrate entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world and thank them for the important contributions they make to our communities and economy. This week is also an opportunity for people to connect with potential collaborators, mentors, and investors to help them take their ideas and businesses to the next level.
“This year’s celebration focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs and young graduates to start and build new businesses, and creating a more inclusive and collaborative community of entrepreneurs.
“The Government of Canada has taken several steps to help Canadian entrepreneurs successfully start, manage, and grow their businesses. Over the last three years, we have opened the door to new markets – securing free trade agreements with the European Union and the growing markets of Asia – and kept the door open to our largest market through a modernized North American trade agreement. Thanks to these agreements, Canadian businesses now have preferential access to 1.5 billion customers around the world.
“Earlier this year, we lowered the small business tax rate to 10 per cent, and we will lower it again next year to 9 per cent. We also reached a deal with major credit card companies to lower the fees they charge to Canadian businesses. Reduced fees will encourage business owners to invest, expand, and create jobs, while keeping prices lower for Canadians.
“We also launched Innovation Canada, a one-stop shop guiding entrepreneurs to government programs and services that help businesses innovate, create jobs, and grow our economy. We also launched a new Intellectual Property Strategy, which will help Canadian entrepreneurs better protect their creative ideas and inventions, give Canadian businesses more tools to deal with intellectual property issues, and position Canada as a leader in the global knowledge economy.
“More and more young Canadians are embracing start-up culture. This year, we hosted Youth Can Do It!, a national event that brought together 25 young Canadian entrepreneurs with business experts so they could gain the connections, information, and resources they need for their next venture. We are also supporting Futurpreneur Canada to help young people across the country launch and grow successful businesses.