TORONTO, January 27, 2011 – BMO Bank of Montreal today offered its strong support of the Federal Government’s decision to designate 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur. BMO encourages any new initiatives that will help unleash the Canadian entrepreneurial spirit and make it easier for small businesses to invest and create jobs.

“Looking ahead, we see the economy gaining strength after slowing recently, growing by a projected 2.7 per cent in 2011, as high commodity prices and an upturn in U.S. demand should bolster business confidence and investment, supporting small and medium-sized businesses,” said Sal Guatieri, Senior Economist, BMO Economics.

More than one million small businesses make-up the backbone of communities across Canada accounting for nearly 98 per cent of the total of all private businesses and over the last decade and creating more than one-third of all new private sector jobs.

“Entrepreneurs are the pioneers who push the boundaries of discovery, drive growth and innovation. During the most challenging days of the recession, these small business owners showed their resilience, kept their focus on their customers, and now they are the ones who are poised to grow and lead their companies through this emerging economic recovery,” said Gail Cocker, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal.

For news media enquiries:
Paul Cunliffe, Toronto, paul.cunliffe@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996
Laurie Grant, Vancouver, laurie.grant@bmo.com, (604) 665-7596
Ron Monet, Montreal, ronald.monet@bmo.com, (514) 877-1873