It’s a real pleasure to be here this morning—to help you celebrate Small Business Week and to mark CFIB’s remarkable 35 years of successful business advocacy.

Small business people, like you, make important contributions to our province. You are the innovators, the risk takers and the resourceful hard workers who can take a dream and make it real.

I have heard it said that successful entrepreneurs have their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground.

Well, here, on the ground in Nova Scotia, there is no doubt that small and medium business owners create value—financially, socially and culturally. Small and medium enterprises employ half of all Nova Scotians. They are responsible for fifty per cent of the province’s gross domestic product and create forty per cent of new jobs in Nova Scotia.

You do all of that and still find time to sponsor sports teams, chair committees and campaigns, and volunteer your considerable talents to many community organizations.

My government appreciates all the contributions you make to Nova Scotia’s economy and culture. And, we have taken concrete steps to break down the barriers that limit businesses. We are rolling up our sleeves to find ways to help businesses that deal with government succeed.

We worked with small businesses. We listened to the strong voice of the CFIB. And we heard that regulations and paperwork were holding you back.

My vision, as premier, is to cut the red tape that stifles competitiveness and help business people get out from under a mountain of paperwork. I want government to support business growth rather than impede it.

So, last year, through our Better Regulation Initiative, we took aim at the paperwork burden on business and set about reducing it by 20 per cent by 2010.

Well, I’m proud to report that in the last year we stopped the growth of paperwork for businesses. Then we reduced it by two and a half per cent.

It’s a start–a good start. And we are working hard to make even more progress in the coming year.

In addition, in about 30 minutes, Economic Development Minister Richard Hurlburt will announce the establishment of the Nova Scotia Business Development (Pilot) Program.

This is an innovative new program that will give businesses funds and expert help to examine the way they operate and to develop new and better ways of doing business.

The Nova Scotia Business Development Program will give start-up businesses a leg up and some tools that will help them succeed.

It will also help existing companies retain jobs and build a bright, strong future. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the CFIB for their assistance, persistence and diligence in helping us develop and institute these new directions.

In Nova Scotia, the CFIB is the undisputed voice of small- and medium-sized businesses. Leanne Hachey and her able team know and understand the needs, the challenges and the strengths of CFIB members. And Leanne and her team have a knack for being heard.

Over 35 years in Nova Scotia and all over the country, CFIB has built a reputation for accuracy and insight. It is recognized world-wide for excellent research and analysis.

In short, when the CFIB talks, governments listen. And I can tell you–my government is no different.

I appreciate the commitment the CFIB has to strengthening the democratic system and to promoting free enterprise. And I look forward to hearing the thoughts, concerns and opinions of this organization for many years to come. It has been a real honour to celebrate CFIB’s 35th anniversary and Small Business Week with you this morning. And I wish you all many more years of success.

Thank you.