CFIE - News - Media Advisory - CFIE Symposium: Are we committed to venture capital financing in Canada and Quebec?

CFIE - News - Media Advisory - CFIE Symposium: Are we committed to venture capital financing in Canada and Quebec?: "DECEMBER 8, 2004 (TORONTO) - Canada and Quebec have no shortage of innovative start-ups companies - companies that tend to be riskier and more susceptible to a changing economy. Proportionately, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) make up a larger part of the Canadian economy than they do in the U.S., Britain, and most other Western nations. However, a larger proportion of these companies also fail when compared to these jurisdictions, particularly the U.S. This Thursday, December 9, 2004 in Montreal the next Canadian Foundation for Investor Education Symposium will post the question: Is the government or industry taking appropriate measures to address these shortcomings? The goal of the Symposium is to provide some policy guidance moving forward.

According to Linda Hohol, President of TSX Venture Exchange, and a speaker at Thursday's Symposium, 'Canadians need an attitude adjustment about failure. We need to do more to create an environment in which failure is not met with extreme censure and blame.' She added, it is in risk that we commit to an atmosphere for venture capital financing in Canada and in Quebec. Canadians need to recognize that success is better than failure but failure is better than never daring to try.' "