Page 7 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_October 2024
P. 7
clean it up. Elon Musk is using his social media platform ‘X’ to Small businesses offer big returns
campaign for Trump and when he comes across conspiracy
commentary, he generally doesn’t rebuke it, instead he retweets Small businesses are the cornerstone of Canada’s economy
it with a “I wonder” attached. and communities and since October is ‘Small Business Month’,
Is it any wonder that we are having difficulty finding good we thought it only fitting to celebrate the achievements of
candidates these days? Who wants to be the target of some our small business community using this issue of INSIGHT to
tyrannical rage of baseless unvetted information? salute just a handful of our members who make Cambridge
and Waterloo Region an amazing place to live and conduct
I have had my battles with MSM in the past, but I’ll take them business.
over any social media feed because at least there are guidelines
and rules they must follow. On social media, it seems the more Defined as businesses with fewer than 100 employees, small
outrageous the better and it’s bound to only get worse since many businesses make up about 98% of all businesses in Canada.
major MSM outlets continue to restructure resulting in layoffs. The This sector employs nearly 70% of the private workforce,
light at the end of the tunnel is growing even more dim for most highlighting its significance in providing employment
media outlets. But I leave you with a very important question: opportunities to millions of Canadians.
Where will you get the REAL news when MSM disappears? Will it Approximately 70% of the workforce in Cambridge is employed
be X or Facebook, Instagram, or even TikTok? I think we all need by small businesses with less than 10 employees, according to
to understand that what we see today is minor to what we will see the City of Cambridge website.
just a few years down the road. But the impact of small businesses extends beyond mere
The next time we go to the polls folks, maybe, just maybe try to job creation. They contribute significantly to Canada’s GDP,
ignore the conspiracy theorists and crazies and instead read a generating over 30% of the total economic output.
newspaper (print or online) or listen to the radio - preferably 570 They also form the backbone of local communities, offering
News Radio at noon on Sunday - or watch your favourite newscast personalized services, creating local jobs, and supporting
on TV because you might just learn something factual about the other local businesses by sourcing products and services from
candidates and their policies. nearby suppliers. This interconnectedness strengthens local
economies and builds a sense of community, as small business
owners frequently engage in community events, sponsorships,
Greg Durocher
President & CEO and charitable activities.
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Small businesses are community builders.
www.cambridgechamber.com Fall 2024 7