This week I had the chance to meet with the Business Development Bank of Canada (“BDC”) President and CEO Isabelle Hudon who has been travelling to meet with MPs across the country. I took the opportunity to turn the meeting into a roundtable and invited some economic leaders from our riding including Huu-ay-aht Elected Chief Councillor John Jack, Patrick Deakin (Economic Development Manager for Port Alberni), Lori Camire (Executive Director of Community Futures Alberni Clayoquot), Julie Sperber (President and CEO of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance), Tracey Clarke (Executive Director of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce), Ramon Ramirez (Partner of Chinook Business Advisory and board chair of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce). Ms. Hudon noted I was the first MP of the 177 she’s met who has invited community leaders to have a roundtable. One part of an MP’s job is connecting entrepreneurs directly with leaders of federal institutions, so I was thrilled to have this opportunity to get this group in the same room.
BDC plays an important role in fostering economic growth in Courtenay-Alberni, including providing $128 million in loans for businesses. Of that total, 40% has gone to women owned businesses and 6% to Indigenous owned businesses, which are above the national average for business loans. Ms. Hudon shared information about new envelopes of funding for Indigenous entrepreneurs, as well as about the increased partnership with Community Futures. Thank you very much to Ms. Hudon for making the journey to Vancouver Island and for the engaging discussion on how to build a stronger, more resilient economy, especially in rural Canada!
