Mississauga, Ontario (November 13, 2013) - Dragons' Den star Arlene Dickinson spoke passionately about the Royal Canadian Navy to a sold-out crowd on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT)'s breakfast event. 

In her powerful address, Dickinson encouraged Mississauga businesspeople to support the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy because it could provide 1,600 new jobs for Ontario.

Dickinson, an honorary captain and spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Navy, talked about drug runners, Arctic Sovereignty, entrepreneurs and jobs in the GTA to a full house of 80 entrepreneurs and attendees at the Glenerin Inn & The Spa in Mississauga.

The strategy, introduced by the federal government in 2011, calls for the rebuilding of the Canadian fleet, including 29 ships at a cost of $35 billion.  

The Canadian Navy is involved all over the world, securing shipping lanes in the Middle East and off the Horn of Africa, confiscating significant drug shipments off Central America and protecting Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic.

"In the last year we have stopped 5,000 kilos of cocaine from reaching the shores of North America, from reaching the schools in our neighborhoods," said Dickinson.

Moreover, Dickinson says the strategy is an investment in jobs. While Vancouver and Halifax are Canada's major shipbuilding centers, Ontario plays an important role in outfitting ships with companies that specialize in electronics, steel, weapons, engines and communications.  

It's estimated that Ontario will secure about 1,600 new jobs as the program rolls out and Dickinson listed a number of GTA companies already involved including some in Mississauga.

"The jobs that will be created will come when our manufacturing base needs a shot in the arm. We need to get this message to our federal representatives that these Ontario jobs are important and we need them now," said Dickinson. 

Dickinson, in addition to her honorary captain's role and being a judge on Dragons' Den, is also one of Canada's most renowned independent marketing communications entrepreneurs.  

As CEO of Venture Communications, her creative and strategic approach has turned the company into a powerhouse with a blue chip client list.

So it was no surprise the business audience was seeking some free advice on how to grow your business. Dickinson provided three tips:

1.    Invest in yourself.
2.    Invest in other entrepreneurs as you are able.
3.    Make sure you have a strategy. Be clear in what you stand for and amplify it.   

To view photos from the event, please visit MBOT's Picasa Album.

MBOT would like to thank its event sponsors: Wellington Financial, YouInc and Glenerin Inn & The Spa. 

As the voice of business since 1976, Mississauga Board of Trade is a private-sector, not-for-profit business organization representing approximately 1,500 businesses, employing 65,000 people in Mississauga.  MBOT is well positioned to meet the needs of business by using its considerable influence at all levels of government.  As the forum for business, MBOT works together to influence public policy and promote a better understanding of the marketplace among policy makers, media and the general public. 

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Media Contact:

Sheldon Leiba

President & CEO
Mississauga Board of Trade

905-273-6151 ext. 27

[email protected]
www.mbot.com