OTTAWA, August 30, 2005 — The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), today announced the appointment of Cindy Chan to the BDC Board of Directors.

"I am pleased to welcome Ms. Chan to the BDC," said Minister Emerson. "As a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in business development and commercialization, Ms. Chan is an excellent addition to the Board."

Based in British Columbia, Ms. Chan is the co-founder and General Manager of InfoSpec Systems Inc. This software development company has been annually ranked one of the top 100 technology companies in the province by T-Net, a leading portal for B.C.'s high-tech industry since 1999. The company has grown from two people to five offices across Canada with clients including the Calgary Zoo, Canada Olympic Park, a Canadian Forces base, the Executive Hotel Group, Beaver Foods — Simon Fraser University, SUBWAY® restaurant chain, Cara Operations — Vancouver International Airport, and others.

Ms. Chan's accomplishments include being awarded the 2003 Ethel Tibbits Business Woman of the Year in Richmond, B.C. She is also the chairperson of the Diversity Fund Raising committee for the Canadian Cancer Society. Ms. Chan has a Bachelor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University.

BDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. It plays a leadership role in delivering financial, investment, and consulting services to Canadian small businesses, with a particular focus on the technology and export sectors of the economy. Visit BDC at: http://www.bdc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001

Jason Moscovitz
Vice-President, Public Affairs
Business Development Bank of Canada
(514) 283-5059