Federal and provincial officials salute the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre's contribution to small business success on its the 10th anniversary of the joint federal-provincial office. The Centre was established to reduce the complexity of dealing with various levels of government by consolidating business information in one convenient service.
Joining the celebrations were the Honourable Andrew Swan, Manitoba Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade, and Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"Congratulations to the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre on its 10th anniversary of helping entrepreneurs and small business operators achieve their personal dreams and business goals," said Minister Swan. "The centre is good for business and provides them with a gateway to government programs and business related information."
"Entrepreneurship and small business is big business in Manitoba," said MP Bruinooge. "The Government of Canada is supporting small business and the Business Service Centre, encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and partnerships that strengthen the nation's economy. Congratulations to the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre management and staff for 10 years of business service excellence."
The Business Service Centre is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba. Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade, services are delivered on behalf of 38 federal government departments and organizations, 13 provincial government departments, and five private sector partners.
The Centre's services include information on business planning, exporting, financial management, business start-up, e-business, and intellectual properties. A wide range of business seminars is offered as well as on-line business products, such as the interactive business planner. The Centre also houses the Aboriginal Business Service Network, which assists Aboriginal entrepreneurs to access capital and establish or grow their businesses. All this and an outstanding business resource library have made the Business Service Centre a one-stop shop to business success.
"When we were ready to take our concept of Shocknife from idea to commercialization, the Business Service Centre was the first place we visited," said Rory Bochinski, co-owner of Shocknife Inc. "We have used the Centre for a number of years as we moved our business from start-up to growth. From incorporation to financial support, to commercialization and exporting, the Centre has the nuts and bolts every entrepreneur needs to be successful."
"Without the assistance and guidance of the Business Service Centre, the Manitoba Home Business Advisory Council would not have become a reality," said Shirley Tillet, President of the Council and owner of STA Inc., a special event management and training business. "With the support of the Centre and the resources they have developed for the growing home business sector, we can provide education, awareness, advocacy and networking opportunities for home business owners throughout Manitoba."
The Centre officially opened its doors on April 1, 1998, and to date almost half a million clients have been served, over the past four years 700 seminars have been held with over 10,000 participants, and since the 2006 inception of the Entrepreneurial Learning Program through the Video Conference Network, there have been more than 170 broadcasts with over 1300 participants.
For additional information, contact:
Lee Gregg
Senior Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, MB
Tel: (204) 983-0701
Web site: http://www.wd.gc.ca/
Joe Czech
Communications Coordinator
Communication Services Manitoba
Telephone: (204) 945-6778
http://www.gov.mb.ca/
