IAN VANDAELLE, Globe and Mail Update, Posted on 

Click here to read original article.

 

Federal government offers support to entrepreneur-led initiative

 

A new Canadian organization that aims to celebrate entrepreneurship and identify challenges facing Canadian startups gets its official launch in Ottawa tonight.

 

Startup Canada, which has already started a cross-Canada tour, will get a boost of support tonight as MPs, industry leaders and entrepreneurs come together for the official launch at the University of Ottawa.

 

Startup Canada is the first national entrepreneur-led initiative of its kind. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, who will be attending tonight’s event, said in a press release that he was looking forward to throwing his support behind the initiative.

 

“We look forward to working with this group going forward to help put Canadian entrepreneurs on the world stage,” he said in the release.

 

“Startup Canada welcomes the federal government’s support as we aim to identify actionable proposals and priorities for advancing entrepreneurship in Canada,” added Startup Canada co-founder Victoria Lennox.

 

About 2.7 million Canadians are self-employed, according to Stats Canada. The national tour aims to help connect, inspire and grow this community, according to the press release.

 

“This will not only diversity Canada’s workforce, but also attract new investment across multiple sectors, and inspire the next generation of Canadian startups,” said Startup Canada founding chairman Adam Chowaniec in the release.

 

The initiative is already one month into its six-month cross-Canada tour. It has already completed the Nova Scotia leg of the trip, and next heads to Prince Edward Island, followed by Ontario, New Brunswick and then points west.”

comments