Leaders and Legacies Canadian leaders and leadership stories
Startup Canada has announced that former Prime Minister Paul Martin has won the Adam Chowaniec Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in supporting entrepreneurial activity undertaken by indigenous Canadians.Mr. Martin is the founder of the Capital for Aboriginal Prosperity and Entrepreneurship Fund (CAPE). According to the CAPE website, it is a $50 million private-sector investment fund initiated by 21 of Canada’s leading companies, individuals and US based Foundations.
The CAPE Fund is focused on mid-market opportunities “with a strong degree of Aboriginal involvement and connection to Aboriginal communities throughout Canada.”
Victoria Lennox, co-founder and CEO of Startup Canada, says “Entrepreneurship is about human endeavour; it is about unleashing human potential to advance our society, economy and humanity.”
“Canada was built by entrepreneurs and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to celebrate and showcase these magnificent Canadians who have collectively raised the tide for entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Mr. Martin’s CAPE fund creation meant “demonstrating that entrepreneurship and the role models it creates would make a difference in the lives of this and future generations of aboriginal Canadians,” according to CAPE’s website.
“I cannot tell you how proud I am of the investors’ response, particularly in these difficult times. We all have a responsibility to make our country a better place. This is what motivated them. These investors recognized their responsibility, they recognized the need, and more than that they recognized that their leadership might help tip the balance,” said Mr. Martin.