BCSC and ASC collaborate on conference to discuss Western Canada's vibrant
venture capital markets

VANCOUVER, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - The British Columbia Securities Commission's Capital Ideas 2010 conference will focus on the vital role of small and medium sized businesses to B.C. and Alberta and the importance of a vibrant venture capital market to support those businesses.

This year, the BCSC is working with the Alberta Securities Commission to bring together panellists and speakers who will discuss, among other things, the factors affecting the success of private and emerging public markets in B.C. and Alberta and of the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that depend on those markets.

"We have a long history of working together with the Alberta Securities Commission on various regulatory initiatives to protect and preserve our capital markets which have similar characteristics, similar challenges, and similar needs," says Brenda Leong, BCSC Chair and CEO. "Capital Ideas 2010 is an excellent opportunity for us to come together to discuss the challenges and issues impacting our unique capital markets."

Colin Hansen, B.C.'s Minister of Finance, will open the conference. Jock Finlayson, Executive Vice President, Policy, Business Council of B.C. and John McCoach, President, TSX Venture Exchange will be the keynote speakers at the conference.

A panel, moderated by UBC assistant law professor Dr. Cristie Ford, will discuss the issues impacting the B.C. and Alberta venture capital markets.  Speakers on the panel include:

• Martin Eady, Director, Corporate Finance, British Columbia Securities Commission
• Darrin Hopkins, Vice President, Public Venture Capital Division, Macquarie Private Wealth Inc.
• Hans Knapp, Partner and General Counsel, Yaletown Venture Partners
• Andrew Rae, President and CEO, iCo Therapeutics, Inc.
• William S. Rice, Chair and CEO, Alberta Securities Commission
• John Wright, President and CEO, Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd.

Capital Ideas 2010 takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, B.C.

Members of the media may attend and can arrange for interviews with speakers or panellists by contacting BCSC media relations staff in advance. For more on the conference visit the BCSC website at www.bcsc.bc.ca and use the hyperlink from the "Current Events" section on the homepage.

The B.C. Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating trading in securities within the province. If you have questions, contact Ken Gracey, Media Relations, 604-899-6577.

Learn how to protect yourself and become a more informed investor at www.investright.org

For further information:

Ken Gracey
604-899-6577 or
(Canada) 1-800-373-6393