Minister Clement and Minister of State Moore Support Future Business Leaders at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit

TORONTO, Ontario, June 22, 2010 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, and the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today extended their congratulations to delegates of the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit (G20 YES), hosted in Toronto by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF).

The G20 YES brought together more than 200 young entrepreneurs (aged 18 to 40) from G20 countries to exchange ideas and establish international networks and partnerships that will support their entrepreneurial aspirations and help drive sustainable global economic growth.

“I would like to congratulate CYBF and all the participants of the G20 YES on an exciting and productive event,” said Minister Clement, who gave the closing remarks. “This summit demonstrated the global nature of today’s business world and the importance of young entrepreneurs to economic recovery and sustainable growth. It brings young entrepreneurs into the international economic discussion. We in government are listening.”

“It was an inspiration to meet with the young entrepreneurs at the G20 YES,” said Minister of State Moore, who spoke at the summit. “Entrepreneurship is a major driver of jobs and growth here in Canada and internationally. These future business leaders are developing networks and partnerships that will not only work to their benefit, but will also strengthen the economies of G20 nations and the world.”

G20 YES delegates worked with highly successful entrepreneurs and leading business and government officials to identify key actions that governments can take to unlock the potential of youth entrepreneurship in the G20 countries. These actions are in a communiqué that identifies shared policy issues and approaches.

Recommendations of the G20 YES delegates will be the focus of a discussion on entrepreneurship at the G20 Business Summit on June 25 and 26. The communiqué will also be presented to the G20 Toronto Summit leaders to help them maximize the economic potential of young entrepreneurs in their respective economies.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001

Catherine Godbout
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)
613-943-7023
613-668-5406 (cell)

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502