Money

In Ontario, the provincial government has introduced the Small Business Innovation Challenge (SBIC) to support the growth of high potential, small-to-medium sized enterprises (SME’s) who are focused on technology driven innovations. Small-to-medium sized enterprises are those with less than 500 employees

This Challenge is designed to encourage and engage start ups and other small businesses to solve public sector challenges by providing the small-to-medium sized enterprises with opportunities to develop, test and demonstrate their products. It is geared towards increasing commercialization opportunities through direct funding support (small business grants) and allows for demonstration opportunities to prove the value of the innovations.

These small business grants are implemented through a two-phase process. Continue Reading

As you are about to go on vacation, you are no doubt very excited about the time you can spend with your family or friends far away from any thoughts about work. You will of course need to plan many of the essential things that you will need for your trip. From a range of outfits and beach wear, you will also need to exchange some money, so that you can treat yourself to some souvenirs. Continue Reading

Sometimes, a job may take you temporarily to a new place, such as a new city or new province. You know that you will be back, but where would you live? If you have no relatives or friends there, one great idea to consider would be a short-term rental. Thanks to the Internet, short-term rentals have increased in popularity for all kinds of reasons. The nice thing about a short-term rental is that your new place becomes your home away from home.

Unless you’re loaded, staying in a hotel might not be an ideal solution. A short-term place will give you comfort and privacy and is also affordable. You can even personalize it. Here are some tips to get a good deal to make the whole experience a positive one. Continue Reading

It can be surprisingly easy to fall in to debt, and some experts in Canada suggest that many Canadians are only one pay cheque away from slipping into the debt pit. In part, that’s because most people make only modest incomes and use credit and monthly payment plans to stretch their income. When misfortune causes an income to drop—divorce, loss of work, illness and many other factors—a person can quickly become overwhelmed and fall behind in their payments.

Embarrassment, confusion, or hope that changing fortune is just around the corner can keep someone from seeking out professional help and support for their problem. But there is help, and a wide variety of options that a person facing money challenges can use to get them out of debt and on the road to financial recovery.

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A GIC or Guaranteed Investment Certificate is a type of Canadian investment vehicle that works by having you deposit or loan the bank some of your money for a specified period of time that could be from six months to five years. In return, the bank or financial institution guarantees to return your money plus interest.

If you leave your money with them longer, they will pay you more money in interest on your GIC. When the specified term is up, they will pay you back the entire amount you deposited plus the interest. For many Canadians, this is a very safe and effective way to save some money in the short term.

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