Saguenay, Quebec

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today met with Canadians involved with small and medium-sized businesses to discuss ways to continue creating jobs and economic growth in a difficult global economy.

“The global recovery remains fragile and protecting and creating jobs remains our Government’s number one priority,” said the Prime Minister.  “As we prepare for Economic Action Plan 2012, our Government will continue to listen to entrepreneurs, workers, small business owners and hard-working Canadians on the best ways to create jobs and economic growth.”

Thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan and Canada’s strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Among G-7 countries, Canada has posted the strongest growth in employment by far during the recovery with nearly 600,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.

Over the coming month, the Prime Minister, his Cabinet and caucus will travel to small towns, communities and cities across the country to listen to and seek the views of Canadians on the Government’s long-term Economic Action Plan.

In order to ensure that all Canadians can participate in this process, the Government of Canada has also launched online pre-budget consultations. Those wishing to make submissions can do so by visiting http://www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp.