The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed the first Saturday of every month as Buy Local Day. The intent of the proclamation is to encourage provincial consumers to shop local – thereby supporting businesses and jobs in communities across the province.
“Local businesses contribute a great deal to our communities and are the foundation of our provincial economy,” Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “By keeping taxes low, balancing budgets and reducing red tape, our government is ensuring that local businesses are able to grow, create jobs and continue to offer quality goods and services to Saskatchewan people.”
“We welcome the Buy Local proclamation and believe it is a terrific way to recognize and support the thousands of hard-working entrepreneurs and small business owners who do so much to add to our local neighbourhoods and economies,” Canadian Federation of Independent Business Vice-President, Prairie and Agri-business Marilyn Braun-Pollon said.
Small businesses account for 98 per cent of all enterprises in Saskatchewan employing nearly 150,000 people, or 31.7 per cent, of Saskatchewan’s workers. The Government of Saskatchewan is dedicated to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in Saskatchewan, and to create a positive business climate with initiatives such as reducing the Small Business Income Tax rate.
“Local patronage is essential for entrepreneurs,” NWL Contemporary Dresses owner and Regina and District Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Nadia Williamson said. “If we hadn’t received solid support from Regina and area, we wouldn’t have grown as successfully as we have. The Buy Local proclamation is a great reminder that the quality and variety of unique and independent operations in communities is reliant on local support. It’s great to see the government moving this forward to support local businesses all over Saskatchewan.”
The first Saturday to be proclaimed Buy Local Day will be June 6, 2015.
