Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program

The program provides western Canadians with disabilities easy access to business information, training and development, mentoring and one-on-one counselling services, and financing in their pursuit of self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Eligibility Criteria

Western Canadian entrepreneurs meeting the following basic criteria may be considered for funding:

• have been unsuccessful in acquiring funding for business from other sources;
• are restricted in the ability to perform at least one of the basic activities of entrepreneurship or self-employment;
• have a physical or mental disability;
• have a viable business plan and are a new or current small business owner with a disability;
• reside in Western Canada.

Summary

The program is delivered through Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC) in rural areas and by a number of partners in urban areas.

What does the program offer?

The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) makes it easier for entrepreneurs with disabilities to pursue their business goals and contribute to the economic growth of their rural communities. Through the EDP you can access business services across Western Canada such as:

• help to develop customized business plans;
• mentoring and one on one counselling services;
• access to business training and development;
• help to identify requirements for specialized equipment; and
• business loans.

What loans are available?

The program provides entrepreneurs with disabilities who are unable to obtain financing from a traditional financial institution access to business loans. The loan terms are flexible and tailored to meet your needs.

What can the loans be used for?

The types of projects supported by this program include:

• starting or expanding a business;
• purchasing and applying new technology;
• upgrading facilities and equipment;
• developing marketing and promotions materials; and
• establishing working capital for anticipated sales increases.

Alberta Contact(s):
Ms. Colette Bomersback
Project Coordinator
Community Futures Network of Alberta
115 4th Avenue West
PO Box 184
Cochrane, Alberta  T4C 1A5
Telephone: 403-851-9995 Ext. 11
Fax: 403-851-9905
E-mail: cbomers@telusplanet.net
Web site: http://www.cfnsa.ca/

British Columbia Contact(s):
Community Futures Development Association of BC
Suite 1056
409 Granville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6C 1T2
Telephone: 604-685-2332
Fax: 604-681-6575
E-mail: info@communityfutures.ca
Web site: http://www.communityfutures.ca/provincial/bc/index.html

Duty Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Suite 700
333 Seymour Street
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6B 5G9
Telephone: 604-666-6256
Fax: 604-666-2353
Toll-free (information): 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
E-mail: info.bc@wd.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.deo.gc.ca/default_e.asp

Manitoba Contact(s):
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Ave
P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4B3
Canada
Telephone: 204-984-2272
Fax: 204-983-3852
Toll-free (information): 1-800-665-2019
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: manitoba@canadabusiness.ca
Web site: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/manitoba
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

Mr. Jason Denbow
Executive Director
Community Futures Manitoba (Provincial Association)
559 - 167 Lombard Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3B 0V3
Telephone: 204-943-2905
Fax: 204-956-9363
E-mail: info@cfmanitoba.ca
Web site: http://www.cfmanitoba.ca/

Western Economic Diversification Canada
Suite 712
The Cargill Building
240 Graham Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 2L4
Telephone: 204-983-4472
Fax: 204-983-3852
Toll-free (information): 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
E-mail: info.manitoba@wd.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.deo.gc.ca/default_e.asp

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Room 601, S.J. Cohen Building
119 - 4th Avenue South
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan  S7K 3S7
Telephone: 306-975-4373
Fax: 306-975-5484
Toll-free (information): 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
E-mail: info.sask@wd.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.deo.gc.ca/default_e.asp

---

National Contact(s):
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Suite 1500, Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4H7
Telephone: 780-495-4164
Fax: 780-495-4557
Toll-free (information): 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
E-mail: info.alberta@wd.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.deo.gc.ca/default_e.asp