Windsor, ON – Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce and the New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence Inc. (NCCE) are pleased that the federal government has decided to move forward with the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program.

The details are to be unveiled in January 2015.

The Chamber and NCCE first outlined and proposed a pilot program in 2012 to the federal government under the auspices of Windsor Essex Global Attraction of Investors Network (WEGAIN). Since then, WEGAIN has worked diligently with the local community, as well as senior levels of government, to offer changes to the Immigrant Investor Program; one that would benefit small to medium sized regions like Windsor-Essex.

“We provided ideas for the program while it was suspended. We are pleased that several of our suggestions are incorporated into the pilot project,” said Gordon Moore, Chair of WEGAIN.

“When the details are released in January we hope to see a more robust role for the Chamber and business community,” said Matt Marchand, President and CEO, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This is a very positive announcement for Canada.

We are hopeful that smaller and medium sized communities such as Windsor Essex can participate and benefit from this program as well,” said Reza Shahbazi, Executive Director of the New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence Inc.