CYBF and CFIB Join Government of Canada in Launching Year of the Entrepreneur
TORONTO, January 25, 2011 – Today, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) joined the Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance) and the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) at a media event to officially designate 2011 Year of the Entrepreneur. The announcement comes at a pivotal time in Canada’s economic recovery.
As leaders in small business in Canada, CYBF and CFIB recognize that the country’s future depends on the continuing contributions of entrepreneurs. Small- to medium-sized businesses account for 98 per cent of all businesses across Canada, and with more than 19 per cent of owners plan to retire within the next five years, The Year of the Entrepreneur is a prime opportunity for Canada’s frontrunners to create entrepreneurial initiatives that will help move Canada into more prosperous times.
CFIB president Catherine Swift says, “The success of the small- and medium-sized business sector has contributed greatly to the economic and social success of Canada. As CFIB celebrates 40 years of defending small businesses, designating 2011 as the ‘Year of the Entrepreneur‘ is definitely an occasion we should all be proud of.”
“Through this designation, the Federal Government has shone a bright light directly on entrepreneurship – demonstrating that our collaborative efforts to build a more entrepreneurial Canada are paying off,” says Vivian Prokop, CEO of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “This year, we will build upon this momentum to show the world that Canada is propelling economic recovery and growth through entrepreneurship.”
The official announcement was made today at Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone (DMZ), a space where creative young entrepreneurs gather to innovate, collaborate and market their services and products. The announcement was followed by a tour of the facility, including an opportunity to meet with entrepreneurs from CFIB, CYBF and the DMZ as well as a pre-budget roundtable discussion with Ministers Menzies and Moore.
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About the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
As Canada’s largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by Entrepreneurs™. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 107,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy. www.cfib-fcei.ca
About the Canadian Youth Business Foundation – Canada’s Entrepreneur Gateway
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is the ‘go to’ place for youth entrepreneurship. As a national charity, we are dedicated to growing our nation’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character not collateral, when providing youth, age 18-34, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring, to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business. www.cybf.ca
For more information about CFIB, CYBF or the Year of the Entrepreneur, or to request an interview with a spokesperson, please contact:
CFIB Media Contact:
Gisele Lumsden
Manager, Public Affairs
Email: public.affairs@cfib.ca
Phone: 416-222-8022 x268
Cell: 647-808-5769
CYBF Media Contact:
Rachel Azagury
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, CYBF
Email: razagury@cybf.ca
Phone: 866-646-2922 x2111
Cell: 647-834-2923
