Government of Canada Grants $98,201 in Funding for Creation of First Nations Young Entrepreneur Clubs


WENDAKE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 16, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) has been granted $98,201 in non-repayable funding for the establishment of First Nations young entrepreneur clubs.

"The Government of Canada supports the creation of these clubs, whose primary mission will be to stimulate entrepreneurship among young members of the First Nations," explained Minister Lebel.

Allocated over a three-year period, this financial assistance will enable the FNQLEDC to hire a coordinator to organize a variety of activities for First Nations community members between the ages of 18 and 35. These will include, among other things, conferences with Native entrepreneurs, enterprise visits, networking events, information sessions on the resources available to young entrepreneurs looking to start a business, and a series of training sessions. In the first year, the clubs will draw their clientele from various Native communities, including those in Lac Simon, Kitigan Zibi and Uashat.

This contribution from the Government of Canada has been granted through the Community Diversification program.

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Contact Information:

Catherine Vallee
Communications
Canada Economic Development
514-283-0368
catherine.vallee@dec-ced.gc.ca

Benoit Fortin
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
819-923-9209
benoit.fortin@dec-ced.gc.ca