December 07, 2004 Winnipeg, Manitoba -- The Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) is pleased to announce that Mr. Paul Chapman, board member of the Winnipeg River Brokenhead Community Futures Development Corporation, is the recipient of the 2004 Minister’s Award for Excellence in CFDC Volunteerism. The award is sponsored by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and recognizes the outstanding contribution of an individual in furthering the Community Futures (CF) program, a community economic development initiative delivered in Manitoba by 16 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs). “The success of the Community Futures program depends on the community volunteers who set the direction of their own local organizations. This grassroots approach is the cornerstone of building sustainable communities,” said Minister Owen. “Mr. Chapman is an outstanding individual who is making his community a priority, investing his time, energy and expertise in its future. I would like to congratulate him on his remarkable commitment.” Mr. Chapman, who is also Mayor of Lac du Bonnet, was instrumental in bringing the Community Futures program to the Eastman region through the establishment of Winnipeg River Brokenhead CFDC. He has held various executive positions on the board, including chair. He is a founding member of Community Futures Partners of Manitoba, the association representing Manitoba’s CFDCs, and has represented his region on that board of directors since its inception, at times serving as chair and vice-chair. Mr. Chapman has also served as Manitoba’s representative on the board of the Pan-West Community Futures Network. Throughout his involvement with Community Futures, Mr. Chapman has provided strong and stable leadership and effectively represented the CF program in Manitoba and across Western Canada. “On behalf of the many volunteers and staff members in the Community Futures program, I am extremely pleased with the opportunity provided by this award to recognize the impressive and unwavering commitment of our volunteers,” said Robert Annis, Chair of Community Futures Partners of Manitoba. “Mr. Chapman, throughout his years of dedicated service, has been a true champion of the CF program and he is greatly deserving of this award.” CFDCs assist rural communities to develop and implement innovative strategies for strengthening local economies. They accomplish this by delivering a variety of services, including local strategic economic planning, advisory services to businesses, loans to small businesses, and services targeted to youth and entrepreneurs with disabilities. They also support research and feasibility studies and the implementation of community economic development projects. At the core of their work is a firm belief that local decision-making is key to developing economic potential and ensuring sustainable growth in communities. Since 1995, Western Canada’s 90 CFDCs have provided over 14,000 loans to entrepreneurs living in rural and northern communities across the four western provinces. Worth a total of just over $367 million, the loans have leveraged an additional $570 million from other sources. Over 44,000 jobs have been created and maintained during the same time period. In Manitoba, over 1,800 loans valued at $42.5 million have created and maintained over 6,000 jobs. Administered by local volunteer boards, CFDCs are part of WD’s Western Canada Business Service Network. Other members of the Network include: Women’s Enterprise Initiative organizations, Francophone Economic Development Organizations, and Canada Business Service Centres. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in Ottawa. - 30 - For additional information, contact: Jacquie Sippola Communications Officer Western Economic Diversification Canada Tel: (204) 983-0280 Winnipeg, Manitoba Christine Landry Communications Coordinator Community Futures Partners of Manitoba (204) 943-2905 www.cfpm.mb.ca WD Toll-Free Number 1-888-338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca
