December 03, 2007

LONDON – Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin–Middlesex–London was pleased to welcome the Hon. Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada on November 23rd to London.

Mr. Preston and Minister Fortier met with a group of small and medium business owners to discuss their thoughts and feelings on the government contract system known as MERCKS and the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises.

Business owners shared their concerns and praise for the system and also offered suggestions that Mr. Preston and Minister Fortier could take back to Ottawa with them.

The Government of Canada contracts on average $15 billion worth of goods and services each year. Companies with fewer than 500 employees already supply, on average, $5.5 billion of that total.

The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) helps businesses find out how to identify leads, learn about the bidding process and government opportunities and is a voice for the business owner within the Government of Canada.

The OSME office representing this area can be contacted by;

Phone: 1-800-668-5378
Email: ont.osme@pwgsc.gc.ca
Visit: http://contractscanada.gc.ca
www.pwgsc.gc.ca/sme