These figures demonstrate the significant jobs and growth potential electronic commerce presents for Canada - and equally what we risk losing if we do not take full advantage of these opportunities. If we do it right, we get increased productivity, enhanced competitiveness of Canadian business, new investment, and new industries and products. If we do it fast, we can stay ahead of the global race. I would like to think that by the year 2000, firms anywhere in the world contemplating a new electronic commerce application would naturally think of checking out whether it had been done in Canada first. We have to act internationally.
Electronic commerce is borderless.
Domestic policies only succeed within an international framework. Domestically, the private sector and consumers will drive electronic commerce development and growth in Canada. But governments will also have a key role in encouraging competition, removing barriers, reducing uncertainty, encouraging innovation and responding to accessibility and skills gaps. The OECD Ministerial on Electronic Commerce World use of electronic commerce will depend on the ability and will of national governments to collaborate. And international cooperation is necessary for Canadians to reach international markets.