As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada take actions designed to enhance further the domestic competitiveness of Canada’s small and medium-sized firms. To this end, the Government should:

• continue to assess whether there is a need for changes to the country’s federal corporate and personal income tax regimes;
• consider the extent to which complex regulations and certification requirements that may be limiting the international trade activities of Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises could be simplified and better communicated;
• enhance the efficiency of customs processing for goods that are exported from, or imported into, Canada;
• ensure that the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises are able to access federal support for research, development and innovation;
• improve domestic rail, road, port, airport, broadband and cellular infrastructure;
• ensure that the design of federal supports meets the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises; and
• increase support for small businesses seeking to enhance their e-commerce capabilities for domestic or international purposes.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada, in both negotiating international trade agreements and considering changes to existing agreements, prioritize the removal of non-tariff and regulatory barriers, and make a commitment to substantive, systematic and thorough outreach and consultations with the country’s small and medium-sized enterprises. As well, the Government should enhance these enterprises’ awareness of Canada’s international trade agreements and the opportunities that they provide, and collect data that would assist with these efforts.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada develop a strategy to improve awareness, among Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises, of the programs and services that its departments, agencies and Crown corporations provide to help these firms trade internationally. As part of this strategy, the Government should ensure that these supports are promoted and communicated, including through its Innovation Canada website (currently, innovation.canada.ca). As well, the Government should intensify its efforts to provide these firms with—or direct them to—financial and informational resources that would support their international trade. Concerning financing, the Government should work with Export Development Canada to reduce approval timelines for financing to ensure that these enterprises do not miss opportunities to secure sales in foreign markets.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada, in providing international trade assistance to Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises, take actions to ensure that the supports provided by its departments, agencies and Crown corporations are integrated. Moreover, the Government should coordinate export-oriented marketing activities across federal and provincial governments. As well, the Government should try to establish new—and deepen existing—partnerships with such entities as provincial/territorial and local governments, trade associations, chambers of commerce and providers of trade-related services, including training. Regarding trade missions, the Government should promote enhanced networking opportunities by involving more small and medium-sized enterprises in government-led trade delegations that meet with foreign business and political leaders.