Sudbury's Don Duval, CEO of the NORCAT innovation centre, has been appointed to the province's Small Business Economic Advisory Council.
The Ministerial Advisory Council consists of 12 small-business owners from across the province who have been tasked with advising Prabmeet Sarkaria, the minister responsible for small business and red tape reduction, and, in turn, the government on tackling the challenges facing small businesses in the wake of COVID-19.
The council will assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and use their experience to advise the government on economic recovery.
NORCAT provides health and safety training for the mining industry, and occupational health and safety services to industrial enterprises.
Duval will be a voice for the business community of Sudbury and the region and is tasked with identifying challenges and providing advice to the government as Ontario pivots from health crisis to economic recovery.
“I am beyond pleased to support Don Duval’s appointment to the council. He will be able to provide a local perspective on the needs of small businesses” said MPP Vic Fedeli in a news release. “Don will bring Main Street small business experience to better inform the Ministerial Council on how best to make Ontario open for business once again.”
Representing a cross-section of sectors, regions, and experiences, ideas from this virtual council will be reported into the government’s new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee.
“Our small businesses are the cornerstone of local economies, and time-tested, small-business owners know better than anyone what it takes to create jobs, jumpstart growth, and get our economy moving again,” said Sarkaria in the release.
“This is why it is vitally important to draw on their strengths, expertise and know-how to develop a prudent, people-focused plan that puts Ontario’s small businesses on the road to recovery.”
The province said the 13-minister committee will use this feedback in identifying how best to protect and support people and jobs, jumpstart the recovery, and rebuild the economy.
“The government’s number one priority remains the health and well-being of the people of Ontario, even as we restart the economy and drive subsequent recovery,” said Rod Phillips, minister of finance and chair of the committee.
“People across Ontario need to know they can count on their elected officials as we move forward from this crisis. That’s why we’re working with all partners and doing everything we can to understand what’s needed to continue to protect and support people and our economy in the coming weeks, months and years.”
You can submit your ideas here.
