Business Service Centre opened at Indian and Metis Friendship Centre

[CAWED]

DECEMBER 10, 1998

_BUSINESS SERVICE CENTRE OPENED AT INDIAN & METIS FRIENDSHIP CENTRE _

_WINNIPEG, Manitoba – A new Canada/Manitoba Business Service
Centre (C/MBSC) network site will provide valuable information and
resources for Aboriginal entrepreneurs looking to start or expand a
business. The new C/MBSC network site will be located in the Indian &
Metis Friendship Centre located at 45 Robinson Street._

Opening of the new business service centre satellite location was
officially announced today by the _Honourable Ron J. Duhamel,
Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification_, and the
_Honourable James Downey, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism_.

"By having this centre in the Indian & Metis Friendship Centre, we are
bringing business services directly to the Aboriginal clientele living
in the immediate area," said _Dr. Duhamel_. "This is another example
of the partnership at work to ensure Aboriginal people are provided
with the best possible resources to help them develop a business and
contribute actively to the economy."

"Small business owners are the backbone of our economy, and we are
pleased to participate in this expansion of the Canada/Manitoba
Business Service Centres across Manitoba," said _Mr. Downey_. "This
new site makes business information and resources more accessible to
entrepreneurs in Winnipeg and provides them with more tools to make
their businesses prosper."

"We are excited about having this Canada/Manitoba network site in our
community," said _Nelson Anderson, president of the Indian & Metis
Friendship Centre_. "With the new business publications, computer
access and information resources, we will be able to provide the
necessary information to help more people become successful
entrepreneurs."

To be successful, entrepreneurs require access to education,
technology and business development resources. Through a cooperative
arrangement with the main C/MBSC office in Winnipeg, clients across
Manitoba will have direct access to a wide variety of government and
business information. Working in partnership with community and
industry organizations, the C/MBSC sites will provide expert business
advice, counselling and support to aspiring entrepreneurs and small
businesses.

This expansion to rural areas will ensure a broader awareness of the
C/MBSC and its services. An [3]additional 17 centres will be set-up
throughout the province, located in _Community Futures Development
Corporation (CFDC)_ offices, entrepreneur centres, municipal
organizations, as well as youth, Aboriginal and technical centres.

The C/MBSC was established in 1998 as a joint partnership between the
federal and provincial governments to consolidate similar services
into one central area. Its mandate is to serve small business by
making available the information they need to succeed in today’s
business environment. The C/MBSC is managed by _Western Economic
Diversification Canada_ and _Manitoba Industry, Trade and Tourism_.

_Canada Business Service Centres_ provide timely, accurate information
and referral services to new or existing entrepreneurs free of charge
in all regions of the country. There are 12 CBSCs across Canada. By
March 1999, 370 access arrangements, much like this site, will be on
stream, helping to strengthen community economic development.

The regionalization of the C/MBSC sites complements the national
_Canada Business Service Centre network_ which will see up to 3,700
sites set up throughout Canada and the Northwest Territories. This
expansion of service is also one step closer to realizing the
Government of Canada’s ‘Connecting Canadians’
initiative, which is helping Canadians to become the most connected
people on earth, ready for the jobs and opportunities of today’s
knowledge-based economy.