We know that small & medium businesses create the most jobs. Governments the world over recognize this and are putting forward efforts to stimulate their growth. What do the candidates have to say about what they would do to make Toronto a place for entrepreneurship, small & medium businesses?
Quick Facts:
Toronto has the highest small business growth rate 7.5% between 2008-09: national average is only 2.7%
240,000+ self-employed people in Toronto & at 17%, Toronto has the highest rate of self-employment in Canada
There are about 84,000 employer businesses in Toronto
Toronto serves a constituency of about 300,000 micro-enterprises in Toronto (self-employed + businesses with fewer than 10 employees)
1-10 women are self-employed
Mayor Miller won with 332,969 votes in 2006. It is a constituency that can certainly make a difference to a candidate.
You may view the live webcast at one of the following websites by clicking on the logos below:
Format:
Opening Comments:
Candidates are afforded ‘one’ minute for opening comments based on the theme:
The order of candidates opening comments is based on the first letter of their last name in descending order.
Candidates will address the audience from their seats on high chairs on stage.
Candidates will have 30 seconds to respond to a question
There are no visual aids, PowerPoints, etc.
Following the opening comments first questions by the journalists begin
Journalist Questions:
Journalist Questions:
Three journalist questioners: Gee, King, Spence
Journalists will sit in front of stage facing the candidates
Order left-to-right facing stage: Gee, King, Spence
Each journalist will have a total of ‘3’ questions each for a total of ‘3’ rounds
Candidates will have ‘30’ seconds each to respond to a question
Rebuttal: Candidates are provided 10 seconds for a response to another candidates answer with the candidate whose question is being rebutted entitled to a closing comment no longer than 10 seconds.
Each new question opens with a different candidate starting with the first candidate as by the first letter of their last name from left to right
Journalists will pose one question each round starting with a different journalist from left-to-right on each round – i.e. Gee, King, Spence
Audience Questions:
Audience questions are entertained once the journalists have completed their round of questioning and candidates are satisfied with their responses
Audience members can pose a question to a candidate or the panel as a whole
Those posing a question must identify themselves: name & organization
Regardless to whom the question is directed all candidates will have an opportunity to respond
Candidates have ‘30’ seconds to respond to an audience question
Location: Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON, T: (416) 531-4635www.gladstonehotel.com
Time(EST):
□ 5:00pm -6:00pm: Registration
□ 6:00pm-7:00pm Candidates Q & A and Live WebcastOnline Forum
□ 7:00pm-7:05pm: Raffle of Prizes (Free to enter) □ 7:05pm-9:00pm: Post-Show Networking
September 9th at the
Raffle prizes provided by
Direct Engagement Show
The Direct Engagement Show is a series of shows designed for small & medium businesses ('SMB') to get unedited answers to their most pressing questions from not one but a panel of leaders. Successful people in government and business provide their unique narratives in context to the discussion theme. Each show has a networking event before & after the panel discussion: info@directengagement.com
