Federal Funding Strengthens Aboriginal Business Services in British Columbia

October 13, 2009

Kamloops, British Columbia – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced today a federal investment, towards the Aboriginal Business Service Network Society of B.C. to strengthen and increase the role of Aboriginal people in business development.

“Local businesses are economic drivers for B.C. communities, and this funding will ensure that Aboriginal entrepreneurs continue to contribute to Western Canada’s economic prospects,” said Ms. McLeod. “This investment will help meet the needs of Aboriginal entrepreneurs and businesses in a more inclusive and accessible way.”

With today’s investment of $168,300, the Aboriginal Business Service Network Society of B.C. (ABSN) will deliver and expand a comprehensive range of services by establishing two new Regional Economic and Community Access Hubs (REACH) sites in Northern British Columbia. REACH sites are locations where Aboriginal entrepreneurs are able to access Aboriginal specific business resource materials, and support in order to undertake business development, research and networking. Other key activities will include maintaining and upgrading the existing REACH sites to meet the latest information and technology standards, upgrading the ABSN B.C. website, and hosting an annual stakeholder event to build knowledge and service capacity for Aboriginal entrepreneurs. 

ABSN is a non-profit organization operating in partnership with the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada. It comprises Aboriginal business service providers, federal, provincial and non-profit representatives, whose mandate is to assist Aboriginal people to realize their economic goals by improving access to and use of business information and services.

“Today's funding allows us to continue to provide unique and valuable services to Aboriginal people across the province,” said Geri Collins, ABSN. “The expansion of these services will provide assistance to hard-to reach aboriginal entrepreneurs and help increase Aboriginal economic development.”
 
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.