Are you a "Newcomer Small Business Owner" in the York Region?
(operating less than 10 years)

Future and Present Newcomer Entrepreneurs:
Share Your Business Start-up Experiences in a Public Research Study

To participate in a short and confidential interview please contact:

Troy Dixon, Research Consultant
Workforce Planning Board of York Region & Bradford West Gwillimbury

Office:  (905) 967-0605
Cell:  (289) 231-7280
Email:  troydixon@wpboard.ca 

Deadline:  Friday, July 23rd, 2010

"Doing Business with the Government of Canada" Seminar Series is offered at the Ontario Regional Headquarters, 4900 Yonge Street, Toronto until March 30, 2011.  The HST Seminar may be offered through the York Region Small Business Enterprise Centre in late May, 2010; early June 2010.  Check back regularly for confirmation. 

To register for the seminars, click here for Public Works and Government Services Canada or here for Contracts Canada.  The series includes:

1. Doing Business with the Government of Canada Introductory Supplier Seminar

2. Doing Business with the Government of Canada Bidding on Opportunities

3. Doing Business with the Government of Canada SELECT

4. Joint Seminar Series Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and Doing Business with the Government of Canada

Statistics Canada recently announced that more and more Canadians are becoming self-employed. According to their report, the number of self-employed Canadians grew by more than 100,000 between October, 2008 and October, 2009. However, Statistics Canada was quick to dismiss the connection between self-employment and company layoffs. “Women accounted for the majority of the increase over the one-year period, at 58 per cent, though men lost more jobs,” Statistics Canada said. Furthermore, they noted that self-employment seemed to be more concentrated among older Canadians, rather than younger workers. For more information, visit: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/business-planning/self-employment-makes-major-upswing/article1515686/

The "Guide to Capital Sources for York Region Entrepreneurs" developed by the Economic Strategy Branch was launched today, February 9, 2010, at the York Small Business Enterprise Centre 7th Annual Conference "Capital Sources for York Region Entrepreneurs".

Facilitating access to Capital was identified in the "York Region Economic Strategy" as a critical need for entrepreneurs.   Knowledge of the diversity of capital organizations is crucial to the evolution of any business.  Financing and funding resources encompass a wide range of programs and practices and reflect the multicultural and unique mix of capital institutions and their diverse interests across York Region. 

Copies of the Guide will be made available at all four York Region Small Business Enterprise Centres.  The Guide will be updated online bi-annually.  To suggest changes, email: sharon.vegh@york.ca with Captial Guide in the subject line.   

The Summer Company Program is open for applications.  Entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 29 years old can receive up to $3,000 to launch their dream business.  Residents of York Region's six northern municipalities (Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Newmarket, and Whitchurch-Stouffville) are invited to apply to the York Small Business Enterprise Centre, click here for the advertisement.  You can apply now by clicking here – APPLY NOW

Applications from other municipalities may check the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade website at www.ontario.ca/summercompany to find out where to apply. 

The deadline for completed applications is May 6, 2010.

Contact us today:  Phone (905) 830-4444 ext. 1572; ysbec@york.ca