Media Advisory
Are Small Businesses Ready for H1N1?
Panel of BMO, ICID and business experts discuss strategies for closing the preparedness gap

TORONTO, October 28, 2009 – Members of the media are invited to attend a roundtable discussion on the potential impact of H1N1 on Canadian small businesses. The panel discussion will be held on Thursday, October 29 at the Hilton Hotel on 145 Richmond St. West in Toronto.

A Harris/Decima survey released in June found that 82 per cent of Canadian small businesses do not have a health-related continuity plan. The panel will review the barriers entrepreneurs face in developing contingency plans and discuss strategies that these businesses can adopt to close the gap in their preparedness.

The panel will be moderated by Cathy Pin, Vice President, Commercial Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal, and will include:

• Wendy Schettler, Director Public Health Programs, International Centre for Infectious Diseases (ICID)
• Mike Cuma, VP Human Resources and Labour Relations, Legacy Bowes Group (on behalf of ICID)
• Alan West, Lawyer, Gowlings LLP
• Cynthia Speranza, Coordinator, Danforth Mosaic Business Improvement Area

Details:
When: Thursday, October 29
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. ET

Where: Varley Room, Hilton Hotel
145 Richmond St. West
Toronto, ON

Media interested in attending can RSVP by contacting Peter Scott: 416-867-3996, PeterE.Scott@bmo.com

Those unable to attend in person can dial in to the meeting via teleconference.

Dial-In Numbers: 416-443-4516 or 1-866-386-7641 (Toll Free)
Pass Code: 8756972 followed by the number sign

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For news media inquiries, please contact:
Peter Scott, Toronto, (416) 867-3996