Winnipeg, June 28, 2011 \u2013<\/strong> Manitoba today joined with the Canadian Federation Independent Business (CFIB) and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) to declare 2011 the Year of the Entrepreneur<\/em>. This declaration coincides with CFIB’s 40th<\/sup> anniversary and the 15 th<\/sup> anniversary of CYBF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Government of Manitoba is pleased to announce 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur<\/em>. <\/span>Our entrepreneurs play a critical role in Manitoba\u2019s economy,\u201d the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade said. \u201cIt\u2019s our goal to deliver business support services effectively and efficiently in order to foster a business environment that enhances competitiveness and encourages growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re delighted Manitoba has declared 2011 the Year of the Entrepreneur<\/em>,” said CFIB president Catherine Swift. Adding, “We give credit to the Manitoba government for recognizing the major contributions of entrepreneurs who drive employment and the economy in good times and bad. The next step is to link current and future government initiatives to the continued growth of entrepreneurship.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “This announcement comes at a time when we are seeing a significant increase in young entrepreneurs wanting to start their own businesses in Manitoba.” noted Joelle Foster, Director of Manitoba, Nunavut and Northwest Territories, CYBF. \u201cThis growing interest in entrepreneurial careers combined with the desire to \u2018come home\u2019 to Manitoba create significant opportunities for CYBF to begin to reverse the historic outward migration and cultivate future business leaders within the province.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Manitoba is a great place to start a small business; our economy is diverse, our location is ideally central and the business opportunities right here in our backyard are plentiful. With the announcement of the Year of the Entrepreneur<\/em>, the Manitoba Government seems to be taking further steps to enhance the entrepreneurial activities in this province. We at Sunpeak Multiwise are thrilled to be part of the stable and growing Manitoba business community,\u201d added Regan Stevenson, Director of Operations, Sunpeak Foods Multiwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With small business accounting for ninety-seven per cent of all businesses in Manitoba and employing nearly half the provincial workforce, Manitoba\u2019s future prosperity depends on the continuing contributions of entrepreneurs. Therefore, leading into the October provincial election, CFIB is urging all party leaders to make small business their top priority. Business owners are invited to join our campaign ensuring government has the right vision to support small business going forward. Visit Imagine Manitoba Without Small Business <\/em>at www.cfib.ca\/mb\/election<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information about CFIB, CYBF or the Year of the Entrepreneur<\/em><\/strong>, or to request an interview with a spokesperson, please contact: Catherine Swift at (204) 982-0817 or Joelle Foster at 204-227-2232<\/p>\n\n\n\n About the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) – <\/strong>As Canada’s largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by EntrepreneursTM<\/sup>. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 108,000 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<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n About the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) <\/strong>– Canada’s Entrepreneur Gateway – <\/em>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<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n