In a speech to UBC MBA students and alumni, TSX Venture Exchange President Linda Hohol, today called on all levels of government and corporate Canada to join her in discussing solutions to the country’s lack of risk capital at an international symposium to be held in Vancouver on November 7.

“Emerging companies are an important part of our economy, yet recent statistics paint a bleak picture of their ability to access the money they need to survive,” said Hohol. “At TSX Venture, we believe that emerging companies are the future of the Canadian economy and that these statistics are unacceptable. We must look for solutions today. As a symposium sponsor we hope to do just that.”

The one-day event entitled ‘Risk Capital in Canada: Breaking Down Barriers, Increasing Access,’ will be hosted by the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Commerce, in association with the Canadian Foundation for Investor Education.

Premier Gordon Campbell will open the symposium, which will feature a prestigious line-up of international authorities in risk capital. The event will examine the overall risk capital environment and infrastructure for emerging, innovative companies in Canada, including a comparison of Canada’s performance against international standards, an examination of the supply of risk capital and whether government policies and programs do enough to support emerging Canadian companies.

This is the second symposium in a national series from the CFIE focused on Canadian capital markets. The first was held last March in Toronto on the issue of securities regulation in Canada.

“Without an open, inclusive discussion of the issues facing Canada’s capital markets, we can’t ensure the future health and vitality of our economy. This series is designed to engage those who can lead change in that discussion,” said Lonnie Tate, chair of the CFIE.