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VCs Ask Trudeau for Lifeline to Replace SVB Credit in Canada

  • Group wants Covid-era business support program revived
  • ‘This may lead to job losses,’ CEO warns trade minister
Mary Ng, Chrystia Freeland and Justin Trudeau leave an Ottawa news conference during the Covid-19 pandemic in October 2020.
Mary Ng, Chrystia Freeland and Justin Trudeau leave an Ottawa news conference during the Covid-19 pandemic in October 2020.Photographer: David Kawai/Bloomberg

A group representing Canada’s venture capital sector is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to provide emergency financing to help startups affected by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.  

The Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association is lobbying Trudeau to dust off an emergency program used in the Covid-19 pandemic, in which smaller companies that need cash could issue convertible debt to a government agency known as BDC, according to a letter seen by Bloomberg.