Page 7 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_October 2024
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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
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