Speech delivered by Byron Neufeld, Director, Selectpac & Living Benefits at the Ethno BC New-Canadian Entrepreneur Awards

May 07, 2008 - Vancouver

Thank you. It is a pleasure to be here with you this evening on behalf of Great-West Life.

Today, Great-West Life serves the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada. Back in 1891, however, we were a fledgling company created through the entrepreneurial spirit of one man: our founder, Jeffry Hall Brock. It was Jeffry Hall Brock who saw the need for a western-based alternative to the existing insurers of the day. One entrepreneur, one dream, and more than a century of service later, Great-West has grown into an international financial services organization.

That’s the power of entrepreneurship, and that’s why we’re here tonight—to celebrate new Canadians whose vision, drive and community involvement have resulted in business success.

Great-West Life is proud to support the Ethno Business Council of British Columbia through The Key to Giving™, our national program for corporate citizenship. Through our lead sponsorship of this event, we join with Ethno BC in celebrating the achievement of new Canadian entrepreneurs and acknowledging your contribution to the B.C. and Canadian economies.

Achieving business success is never easy. It takes effort, determination and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. I think it’s fair to say that as newcomers to this country, new Canadians often face additional challenges that make their business success even more praiseworthy. Having a resource like Ethno BC gives us a forum to celebrate these successes, and to encourage and support new Canadian entrepreneurs.

On behalf of Great-West Life, I’m proud to offer our congratulations not only to the winners of tonight’s awards, but to all new Canadians whose entrepreneurial spirit is making a contribution in B.C. and across Canada.

Thank you.