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For Release
October 17, 2005

Government of Canada Strengthens Investment for Business Services in the West

Edmonton, Alberta – Western Economic Diversification Canada today confirmed a $165.6 million funding renewal, including $21.6 million in new funding, with partners in its Western Canada Business Service Network (WCBSN). These five-year agreements will ensure the Network continues to provide entrepreneurs with the services and information they need to succeed.

"Small business is the driving force of the western economy," said the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "Our business service partners and the clients they serve represent the spirit of Small Business Week, so this is the perfect time to renew our commitment to supporting this essential source of jobs and opportunity in western communities, large and small."

"The ongoing diversification and growth of our economy can only be achieved through partnership," said the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. "This investment in the WCBSN reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to working with business service providers and entrepreneurs to build small business capacity and sustainable communities, both here in Alberta and across in the West."

This year marks the 10 th anniversary of Western Economic Diversification Canada's partnership with Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), the Women's Enterprise Initiative (WEI), and Canada Business Service Centres (CBSCs). In 2001, Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) joined this network of community-based organizations, which provides entrepreneurs with business advice, information and access to financing that enables them to start, maintain and grow their businesses.

The 90 western CFDCs, located in rural communities across the West, will receive $135.2 million in operating funding over the next five years. Each CFDC offers a variety of services, ranging from strategic economic planning, technical and advisory services to businesses, loans to small and medium-sized businesses, and self-employment assistance programs and services targeted to youth, Aboriginal people and entrepreneurs with disabilities.

The WEI offices in each of the four western provinces will receive $19.5 million in operating funding over the next five years. The WEI provides services specifically designed to assist women entrepreneurs, including advisory services, training options, networking opportunities, business loans and referrals to complementary services.

The four FEDO offices, which provide business services to Francophone entrepreneurs, including training, access to capital, information, networking and marketing advice, will receive $10.9 million in operating funding over the same time period.

Canada Business Service Centres, located in the West's major cities, provide a wide range of information on government services, programs and regulations and respond to enquiries about starting a new business or improving an existing one. Their services include the specific information Aboriginal entrepreneurs need to successfully access capital and establish or grow their businesses through the Aboriginal Business Service Network. CBSCs are jointly funded together with western provinces.

In 2004, the Network of CBSCs across Canada won the UN Public Service Award in the category of "Improvement of Public Service Results" for "Information Service for the Business Community." The Government of Canada is currently in the process of developing funding renewal agreements for these offices on a national level.

The Western Canada Business Service Network provides over 100 points of service and has proven its value to small businesses across the West. Last year alone, partner offices collectively responded to over 473,645 requests for information, provided 138,236 advisory services and trained 43,604 clients. In addition, they provided more than $52 million in loans, which leveraged an additional $71.3 million from other sources.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada through activities that advance Sustainable Communities, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.

Federal funding for this project was provided for in Budget 2005.

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