TD gives young entrepreneurs in Quebec a $600,000 boost thanks to renewed partnership with Canadian Youth Business Foundation

GATINEAU, QC, Oct 7 /CNW Telbec/ - Young entrepreneurs in Quebec seeking advice, mentoring and even financial support to help launch their businesses will benefit from a renewed partnership between the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) and TD Bank Financial Group.

At a ceremony attended by Mr. Luc Montreuil, on behalf of the Mayor of Gatineau and member of the board of the Développement économique-CLD Gatineau, TD announced it will donate $600,000 to the CYBF over the next three years to provide support for entrepreneurs in the Gatineau, Laval, Montreal, Quebec City and Sherbrooke areas. Since 2007, TD and CYBF have jointly helped create 113 businesses and over 250 jobs.

"It could be coaching, mentoring or financing," said CYBF board member and President and CEO, Montreal Economic Institute, Michel Kelly-Gagnon. "This type of assistance is truly valuable to any young entrepreneur that benefits from it."

"It's our mission to help the economy grow one young entrepreneur at a time because our economic future depends on creating new businesses. We invest time and money in helping young entrepreneurs from ages 18 to 34 that have trouble getting funding despite having a great business idea," adds Kelly-Gagnon.

One example is Tubes & Jujubes, a family fun centre with indoor play areas set up mainly for children under 12. "The Canadian Youth Business Foundation provided an essential helping hand when I started," said Anouar Nemry, founder and president. "I think it's important that they continue to look ahead to ensure lasting success."

"We're a major supporter of CYBF in Quebec and the important work they do to mentor and empower youth in business," said David Pinsonneault, Senior Vice President, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, TD Commercial Banking. "Creating new businesses is fundamental to economic development, and as we celebrate TD's 150(th) anniversary in Quebec, we hope to help new businesses enjoy similar long-lasting success."

About The Canadian Youth Business Foundation
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is the 'go to' place for youth entrepreneurship. As a national charity, we are dedicated to growing our nation's economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character not collateral, when providing youth, age 18-34, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring, to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business. www.cybf.ca.

TD Community Giving
TD invests in communities to make a positive impact where it does business and where its customers, clients and employees live and work. In Canada, TD's community giving priorities are: education and financial literacy; creating opportunities for young people to help them fulfill their potential; and protecting and enhancing the environment. TD aims to build a more prosperous and inclusive future by engaging employees, customers, clients and partners to make a difference together by working with diverse communities and communities in need. In 2009, TD donated $37 million to more than 2,500 organizations across Canada. For more information, visit www.td.com/corporateresponsibility.

The year 2010 marks the 150(th) anniversary of TD in Quebec. TD has built on a long tradition of quality client service and community involvement that dates back to the opening of the first branch of the Bank of Toronto in Quebec in 1860. Today, TD's Quebec presence includes over 4,000 employees and more than 125 offices and points of service, as well as significant investments in community programs.