The Honourable Christian Paradis meets with young entrepreneurs from Quebec

Montreal, March 30th, 2012 – The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), along with the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ), welcomed this morning the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture) for a breakfast conference. On his first public appearance following the announcement of the federal budget, Minister Paradis chose to meet with young entrepreneurs, to continue the dialogue on their needs and concerns. He also took advantage of the opportunity to present them with the 2012-2013 federal budget.

“We were very pleased to welcome Minister Paradis”, said Vivian Prokop, CEO of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “Industry Canada is CYBF’s main partner. Our partnership recognizes the importance of young entrepreneurs to the economic growth of our country and enables young people to become job creators and business leaders.”

“We appreciate the federal government’s visit on the ground to meet with young entrepreneurs”, stated Christian Bélair, Director General of the RJCCQ. “Entrepreneurship is the foundation of the economic health of Canada. The continued attention of the government towards young entrepreneurs is critical, enabling them to build successful businesses and generate a positive impact on society as a whole.”

Since its inception in 1996, CYBF has played a major role in the economic activity of Canada by investing $92 million in more than 5,000 businesses owned by young people, helping to maintain or create more than 19,500 jobs and generating $137 million in tax revenue for the government. CYBF has always exceeded its contractual agreements. These results were made possible thanks to a private-public partnership with, among others, Industry Canada who has made a $57.5 million contribution over the past 15 years.

About 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 Canada’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. We help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business. www.cybf.ca

About the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ)
For 20 years, the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce (RJCCQ) supports its network of young chambers of commerce and youth wings across Quebec, representing more 7,000 young entrepreneurs, business people, professionals and executives, aged between 18 and 40. The RJCCQ not only spreads over a large geographical area, it also has in its ranks eight organizations from cultural communities, which makes the RJCCQ unique. It is the only representative of the new generation of business people in Quebec and works to defend the interests of its members.www.rjccq.com

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Sources: Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) and the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ).

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