Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently declared 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur throughout the country. 
Canada’s entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, creating jobs and driving economic growth in communities large and small across our country.  They invest themselves completely in their businesses working countless hours on every aspect of their enterprise – from research and development to manufacturing, marketing and delivery.
I am therefore pleased to declare 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur as part of our Government’s efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of entrepreneurs to Canada’s economy and pay tribute to their drive and dedication. 
Our Government has listened carefully in the last five years to what entrepreneurs told us they need to succeed.  We have listened and have taken decisive action to address their needs and concerns, including reducing taxes and red tape, improving access to business financing, making substantial investments in training, research, and development and opening up new markets.
I encourage Canadians to participate in activities taking place this year to support local entrepreneurs and to thank them for contributing to the quality of life we all enjoy.
Later that day, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) -- the GEW / Canada host -- and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) joined the Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance) and the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) to officially designate 2011 Year of the Entrepreneur.
 “Through this designation, the Federal Government has shone a bright light directly on entrepreneurship – demonstrating that our collaborative efforts to build a more entrepreneurial Canada are paying off,” says Vivian Prokop, CEO of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “This year, we will build upon this momentum to show the world that Canada is propelling economic recovery and growth through entrepreneurship.”
The official announcement was made at Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone (DMZ), a space where creative young entrepreneurs gather to innovate, collaborate and market their services and products. The announcement was followed by a tour of the facility, including an opportunity to meet with entrepreneurs from CFIB, CYBF and the DMZ as well as a pre-budget roundtable discussion with Ministers Menzies and Moore.

tags: Canada, CYBF, host, VIP