The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.

The program's main objectives are:

- to help new businesses get started and established firms make improvements and expand

- to improve access to loans that would not otherwise be available to small businesses

- to stimulate economic growth and create jobs for Canadians.

On average, the program helps small businesses access 10,000 loans worth more than $1 billion each year.

You may be eligible if you are a small, non-farming, for-profit business operating in Canada with gross annual revenues of $5 million or less.

For more information, please contact your financial institution.

This program is administered by Small Business Financing Directorate Industry Canada. They can be reached at 613-954-5540, by email at ccsbfp-pfpec@ic.gc. ca or online at www.ic.gc. ca/csbfp.

- For information on a similar program for the farming industry, visit www.agr. gc.ca.

Chamber Voice