Alberta Celebrates Small Business Week with Chamber Awards Gala in Fort McMurray

FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta—As Canada marks Small Business Week, Alberta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Northern Development, Tany Yao, is calling on residents to celebrate the province’s entrepreneurs. Yao says small businesses are the backbone of Alberta’s economy, making up about 95 per cent of all companies and employing nearly 35 per cent of private-sector workers.

“Almost 19 per cent, or one out of every five Albertans, are starting or have recently opened a business,” said Yao. “The impact of small businesses is far-reaching. Their contributions matter deeply to their neighbours, families, friends, and communities who support them.”

To celebrate the contributions and achievements of small businesses, the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual business awards gala this Thursday at the Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre. The event will honour small, medium, and large enterprises, with dozens of nominees competing in 16 categories.

Yao is calling on Albertans to take the opportunity to shop local, support Alberta’s entrepreneurs, and celebrate the business landscape that makes the province unique.

“Working alongside our business community, we can build a more prosperous future for our province,” said Yao.