Minister of State Moore Welcomes Launch of Newcomer Entrepreneur Program

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 21, 2011) - Today, the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), welcomed last week's launch of the Newcomer Entrepreneur Program for young, newly arrived immigrants to Canada, created by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF):

"This initiative will help young new Canadians access the resources they need to start and grow their businesses. I applaud the BDC and CYBF for taking action to reach this segment of future business owners. These efforts will help small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) by providing them with the tools they need to prosper, thereby strengthening our economy and creating jobs.

"The economy remains the top priority of the Harper Government. It is fitting that the flexible financing, mentoring and business resources offered to young new Canadians under this program are being announced during the Year of the Entrepreneur. This type of innovative program is part of the reason why the Government of Canada has invested $20 million in funding over the past two years to support the CYBF, which helps young entrepreneurs start and operate new businesses.

"The Government of Canada recognizes that entrepreneurs of all ages are critical to our economic health and well-being. The BDC is instrumental in supporting Canadian SMEs and entrepreneurs and helping them to create economic growth and job opportunities in communities across Canada. The BDC is playing an important role in Canada's Economic Action Plan during the fragile global economic recovery. The Economic Action Plan is helping to ensure that businesses of all sizes continued to have access to the financing they needed to grow and succeed."