Friday October 18, 2019 – For 75 years, BDC has been working alongside Canadian entrepreneurs to help them build and grow their businesses. This year, for BDC Small Business Week, they are shinning the spotlight on the changing face of entrepreneurship in Canada and the trailblazers behind the business.

At an event on Friday, Oct. 18, held at City Hall, the Mayor officially proclaimed Oct. 20 – 26 as BDC Small Business Week^TM. 

“With the national theme, ‘Canada: a nation of entrepreneurs. Showcasing the people behind the business!’, I request all communities in Ontario and across Canada to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities,” said Mayor Mauro. “Let’s all celebrate entrepreneurship and its remarkable contribution to Thunder Bay and our country.” 

For more information, and listing of events happening in our local community visit www.bdc.ca/en/sbw/pages/local_events. 

The official proclamation reads as follows:

PROCLAMATION:

Friday, October 18^th

WHEREAS, Canadian entrepreneurs are the engine that drives our Country’s economy; and

WHEREAS, small and medium- sized businesses are the cornerstone of the Canadian economy.  They account for 99.7% of all Canadian companies and employ more than 90% of private sector workers; and

WHEREAS, 96.9% of businesses within the Thunder Bay District are considered “Small Businesses”; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 40th anniversary of BDC Small Business Week^TM and coincides with BDC’s 75th anniversary – which is a cause for celebrating Canada’s entrepreneurs! And

WHEREAS, BDC Small Business Week TM is about creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to share success stories, talk to business experts, exchange innovative ideas and participate in events held across Canada; and

WHEREAS, this year the BDC Small Business Week^TM Committee (comprised of Community partners – BDC, Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre, Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, Thunder Bay Public Library, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Nishnawbe-Aski Development Fund, Thunder Bay Ventures, Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, Lakehead University, Confederation College, SHIFT Young Professional’s Network, and PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise has worked together to host a calendar events and activities to pay tribute to Thunder Bay and District entrepreneurs.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Bill Mauro, Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay, do hereby proclaim the week of October 20 – 26, 2019 as BDC SMALL BUSINESS WEEK^TM. 

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Contact: Lori Desimone – Senior Client Relationship Officer, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) – 807-346-1795 or LORIJ.DESIMONE@bdc.ca

About CEDC: The CEDC is responsible for business development, retention and expansion, entrepreneurial support, opportunity promotion, and the collection and assessment of key business data. The CEDC receives formal proposals for projects that will contribute to economic development. It responds quickly to new opportunities and initiatives to attract direct financial involvement from the government and private sectors. For more information, visit www.ThunderBayCEDC.ca.