Support for Yukon's Business Community

These two initiatives are aimed at building knowledge and capacity within Yukon's business community, as well as providing learning opportunities through expert speakers.

Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce's Yukon Business Development Project

Through an investment from CanNor, under Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce will receive $192,142. It follows up on previous investments to this successful program through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development program.

The Business Development Project (YBDP) provides local Yukon companies with business advice to help them to reach their market potential. The project helps companies develop business and marketing plans through business advisory boards tailored to their individual needs. These boards, which consist of local and out-of-territory experts, provide the client companies with the information they need to overcome obstacles and promote the growth of their operations. Each selected company undergoes a period of mentorship and development lasting approximately one year. During this period, the Business Advisor and Project Manager audits, advises, and coaches the company and helps them to implement the recommendations of the Business Advisory Board.

The YBDP is carried out by the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce with financial and in-kind contributions from the Chamber, the Yukon Technology Innovation Centre, the Yukon Government, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the National Research Council.

The Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce is an important voice for the business community in Whitehorse, Yukon. The Chamber provides support to businesses and promotes economic development, with a goal to stimulate and improve trade and commerce in order to contribute to the economic, civic and social well being of Whitehorse.

Yukon Indian Development Corporation's Foundations Economic Conference

Yukon Indian Development Corporation (YIDC) received $46,046 from CanNor, through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED)'s Targeted Investment Program and $96,055 through the Community Support Services Program to host the 2009 conference.

The Foundations Economic Conference will bring together First Nations, Government and the Yukon business community, and continue to build on the work accomplished last year at the Foundations Conference in June 2008. It will highlight how First Nations are driving the Yukon's economy and are poised for success.

The conference will take place in Whitehorse on September 29th to October 1st. The three-day conference will provide delegates with practical knowledge and information on economic development with expert speakers and panellists. This year's theme is Strengthening Today's First Nations' Businesses and Supporting Tomorrow's.

The first two days of the conference will focus on such topics as:

• starting your own business: entrepreneurship - tourism and culture, youth and small business;
• growing your business: tools for strengthening - technology, marketing;
• strengthening the foundation: leadership and strategy;
• business exit strategies; and
• land as our wealth.

Day three of the conference will focus discussion on promoting and certifying economic development officers in the Yukon. It will address the formation of an association, development of certification/standards and serve as a networking session to discuss economic development certification in the Yukon.

Supporting Business, Supporting Canada's Economy

In the North, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) initiative, and the Community Support Services Program (CSSP) are programs administered by the newly-created Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).

The Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year national program established under Budget 2009, Canada's Economic Action Plan. Its objectives are to provide economic stimulus by creating employment opportunities and to address transitional and adjustment challenges in communities.

Under Canada's Economic Action Plan, SINED funding was renewed at $90 million over five years, which equates to a potential federal contribution of over $25 million for the Yukon. The Community Support Services Program (CSSP) provides funding for one-time projects or ongoing initiatives that support capacity development in First Nation and Inuit community economic development organizations.

This fund provides $1 billion across Canada, $32.8 million of which is available to the North over two years. All territorial, First Nation and municipal governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals with an interest in economic development in the North can apply for this fund.

Please visit the CanNor website for more information on CAF, SINED. and CSSP.

For more information about the conference please see Foundations Economic Conference website  .