InfoSource

Table of Contents

General Information

Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities

Additional Information


General Information

Introduction to Info Source

Info Source: Sources of Federal Government and Employee Information provides information about the functions, programs, activities and related information holdings of government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. It provides individuals and employees of the government (current and former) with relevant information to access personal information about themselves held by government institutions subject to the Privacy Act and to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

The Introduction and an index of institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act are available centrally. The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility to the President of Treasury Board (as the designated Minister) for the government-wide administration of the legislation.

Background

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is a Crown corporation exclusively dedicated to Canadian entrepreneurs. The bank has existed under various names and mandates since 1944. It was established by Parliament in September 1944 as the Industrial Development Bank (IDB), focusing initially on helping smaller companies that had participated in the Second World War effort to convert to peace-time operations. The Federal Business Development Bank (FBDB) succeeded IDB in October 1975. Twenty years later, in July 1995, Parliament passed the Business Development Bank of Canada Act, leading to a new name for the bank. BDC has a single shareholder, the Government of Canada, and reports to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Responsibilities

BDC’s mandate, as set out in the Business Development Bank of Canada Act, is to support Canadian entrepreneurs by providing financial, consulting and venture capital services. BDC’s investments may be held in the name of BDC Capital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BDC. All administration of such investments is performed by BDC employees, using BDC resources and facilities. All relevant records relating to BDC Capital are under the control of BDC.

Institutional Functions, Programs and Activities

Financing

BDC Financing offers flexible secured and unsecured term loans that are tailored to entrepreneurs’ needs.

Financing Services

BDC Financing specializes in commercial financing solutions that are structured to protect entrepreneurs’ cash flow. It offers solutions to entrepreneurs to grow their business, develop and expand their markets, buy or sell a company, as well as financing to buy equipment and machinery, invest in technology or purchase commercial real estate. Turnkey financing solutions consist primarily of commercial real estate, equipment and machinery purchase, start-up financing and market expansion.

Accounts History File

Description: Statistical information on all (past, present, dormant and active) loans, guarantees, investments and customer accounts since 1944.Document Types: Statistical reports.Record Number: BDC FLS 030

Advanced Commercial Banking System (ACBS) (formerly Loan Accounting and Processing System (LAPS))

Description: Database containing accounting and statistical information on the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) customer loans. The initial data, Loan Authorization, is bridged from "The Manager" software and is continually updated throughout the administration of a customer account.Document Types: Statistical reports.Record Number: BDC FLS 025

Loan Application—Client Files

Description: This bank contains information relating to individuals who apply for different types of loans offered by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) under various programs. The information consists of loan application forms, financial statements, appraisal reports, personal income and other client profile information, copies of correspondence relating to the repayment and ongoing administration of the loans and related legal documentation.Class of Individuals: Individuals who apply for loans.Purpose: The purpose of this bank is to determine eligibility for loans and the administration of loans.Consistent Uses: Information in this bank is used for statistical purposes, monitoring, loan renewals, collection and recovery administration.Information may be shared with entities used by BDC in collection and recovery proceedings.Retention and Disposal Standards: Records on approved loans are closed from the date the loan is fully repaid/cancelled/aborted and then archived for 7 years after which time they are destroyed. Files for abortive loans or withdrawn/rejected applications are kept for 7 years, and then destroyed. Written off accounts are closed after they've been written off and archived for 7 years and then destroyed.RDA Number: 2005/006Related Record Number: BDC FLS 025, BDC FLS 020TBS Registration: 003753Bank Number: BDC PPU 050

Dead Loan File

Description: Statistical information on all loans.Document Types: Statistical reports.Record Number: BDC FLS 035

Loans, Guarantees and Other Types of Financing

Description: Information on submission and authorization procedures, disbursements and category classification, as well as policy, procedures and correspondence related to other forms of financing.Document Types: Policies, procedures and reports.Record Number: BDC FLS 020

Loan Applications—Client Files

Description: This bank contains information relating to individuals who apply for different types of loans offered by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) under various programs. The information consists of loan application forms, financial statements, appraisal reports, personal income and other client profile information, copies of correspondence relating to the repayment and ongoing administration of the loans and related legal documentation.Class of Individuals: Individuals who apply for loans.Purpose: The purpose of this bank is to determine eligibility for loans and the administration of loans.Consistent Uses: Information in this bank is used for statistical purposes, monitoring, loan renewals, collection and recovery administration. Information may be shared with entities used by BDC in collection and recovery proceedings.Retention and Disposal Standards: Records on approved loans are closed from the date the loan is fully repaid/cancelled and then archived for 7 years after which time they are destroyed. Files for abortive loans or withdrawn/rejected applications are kept for 7 years, and then destroyed. Written off accounts are closed after they've been written off and archived for 7 years and then destroyed.RDA Number: 2005/006Related Record Number: BDC FLS 025, BDC FLS 020TBS Registration: 003753Bank Number: BDC PPU 050

Customer Surveys

Description: This bank contains responses obtained via questionnaires relating to customer knowledge of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) products and/or satisfaction with its dealings with BDC and may include the customer's name, address and telephone number.Class of Individuals: Potential, current, and former BDC customers.Purpose: The information is used to obtain an accurate assessment of customer satisfaction and awareness.Consistent Uses: Compiling statistics for required reports.Retention and Disposal Standards: Records are kept for a period of 5 years, and then destroyed.RDA Number: 2011/005Related Record Number: BDC MTS 050, BDC FLS 020TBS Registration: 003924Bank Number: BDC PPU 100

Policy

Description: Information on the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) lending policy and, in particular, its policy with respect to the availability of funds elsewhere, commitment and standby fees, prepayment indemnities, interest rates, and refinancing of funds.Document Types: Policies and reports.Record Number: BDC FLS 010

Reports

Description: Activity reports prepared by Financial Services at Head Office, the areas and branches, including reports of accounts in arrears, equity investments, write-offs, and disbursements.Document Types: Report—from head office, areas and branches on accounts (over $500,000) in arrears for more than one month; progressive reports; estimate of possible losses; equity investments report (monthly and semi-annually); summary of write-offs and review report; applications declined; report on operations; regional activity schedule; report analysis of accounts by category; report on loan authorizations; liability reports; loans partially disbursed; recoveries expected on accounts written off; monthly report on loans fully undisbursed; and semi-annual investment return reports.Record Number: BDC FLS 005

Growth and Transition Capital

BDC Growth and Transition Capital supports high-potential, growth-oriented companies that lack the tangible security required by conventional lenders.

Growth and Transition Capital Services

A hybrid of equity financing and debt, Growth and Transition Capital is a strategic alternative for mergers and acquisitions, shareholder buyouts, business transition, working capital for growth, financing of intangible assets and expansion to new markets. BDC may participate in companies' growth by receiving stock options and/or royalties, depending on the terms agreed.

Venture Capital

BDC Venture Capital invests in innovative technology-based companies and is involved at every stage of their development cycle, from seed through expansion to exit. BDC Venture Capital also undertakes strategic investments and initiatives targeted at stimulating the Canadian venture capital and innovation ecosystems.

Direct Investments

BDC Venture Capital’s direct investments strategy is implemented through a series of targeted internal funds or portfolios. These include BDC’s three internal funds: Energy/CleanTech Fund, Healthcare Fund and IT Fund. BDC also manages a portfolio of direct investments through its Diversified Portfolio team, and manages its Quebec-specific GO Capital “sidecar” fund.

Investments and Venture Capital

Description: Correspondence, policy, procedures, and records related to the disbursement and monitoring of funds where there is an investment or venture capital factor. Document Types: Enquiries; submission and authorization procedures; policy and procedures on superseding and supplementary proposals; disbursements; monitoring of investments; underwriting; mergers; acquisitions and divestitures; arrears; category classification; write-offs. Record Number: BDBC FLS 045

Fund Investments (Indirect)

BDC Venture Capital supports and leverages other venture capital funds in Canada through its indirect investment strategy, primarily driven by its Fund of Funds team. BDC Venture Capital invests in private equity and venture capital funds that, in turn, invest in companies with significant intellectual property, with the objective of global commercialization. Like BDC Venture Capital, these funds should focus on the promising fields of IT, Energy/Cleantech or Healthcare.

Strategic Investments and Initiatives

BDC Venture Capital’s Strategic Investments and Initiatives team plays a leading role in stimulating the Canadian venture capital and innovation ecosystems. Its mandate is to strengthen and expand BDC's strategic initiatives within the Canadian VC industry. The group focuses on strategic investments, fosters entrepreneurial development, encourages global connectivity for tech entrepreneurs and acts as a VC industry facilitator.

Consulting

BDC Consulting offers customized business consulting services to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses grow and become more competitive.

Consulting Services

BDC Consulting offers a variety of services designed to meet entrepreneurs’ needs including business and financial planning, market development, technology selection and implementation, global expansion, strategic planning, business transition and operational efficiency.

Consulting Group

Description: Basic administrative records of the Consulting Group's management services, including publicity for the various services, budgets, costs, and financial statements; reports and operating statistics for each activity, as well as miscellaneous information, copyright data, and correspondence with other organizations.Document Types: Complimentary letters; Counselling Assistance to Small Enterprises (CASE) and management training; budgets; operational plans; strategic overviews; accounting; auditors; sales tax; systems development; activity reports—head office, regional and branch statistical reports, evaluations and related correspondence; Small Business Week; Business Management Awards. Files arranged by subject.Record Number: BDC MTS 050

Customer Surveys

Description: This bank contains responses obtained via questionnaires relating to customer knowledge of The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) products and/or satisfaction with its dealings with BDC and may include the customer's name, address and telephone number. Class of Individuals: Potential, current, and former BDC customers. Purpose: The information is used to obtain an accurate assessment of customer satisfaction and awareness. Consistent Uses: Compiling statistics for required reports. Retention and Disposal Standards: Records are kept for a period of 5 years, then destroyed. RDA Number: 2011/005 Related Record Number: BDC MTS 050, BDC FLS 020TBS Registration: 003924 Bank Number: BDC PPU 100

Management Counselling and Consulting

Description: Information on policy matters governing the administration of the Bank's counselling and consulting services, accounting procedures and related correspondence. For many years, the Federal Business Development Bank (FBDB) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) carried on their counselling services under the acronym "CASE" (Counselling Assistance to Small Enterprises). Information on policy matters, activities of financial and strategic planning services and related correspondence. Document Types: Contracts, Agreements, Statements of works, Applications, Invoices, Billing correspondence, Interview guides, Information form, and Progress reports. Record Number: BDC MTS 055

Consulting Group's Participants

Description: This bank contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers of participants in seminars and workshops offered under the consulting, counselling, training and mentoring programs of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)'s Consulting Group (formerly the Management Services Division). It may also contain company name, type of business, size of business and other company demographics.Class of Individuals: To maintain standard lists of individuals, organizations, firms and businesses for marketing purposes to mail information on current forthcoming events. The information may also be used for statistical purposes to provide analytical reports and have a better understanding of clientele profile.Purpose: To maintain standard lists of individuals, organizations, firms and businesses for marketing purposes to mail information on current forthcoming events. The information may also be used for statistical purposes to provide analytical reports and have a better understanding of clientele profile. Consistent Uses: The information is used to mail and distribute documentation to participants. Retention and Disposal Standards: Records are updated continuously and information kept until superseded. The obsolete information is kept for an additional 6 years when superseded, then destroyed. RDA Number: 2011/005 Related Record Number: BDC MTS 055 TBS Registration: 003756 Bank Number: BDC PPU 040

Regional Register of Counselling Assistance to Small Enterprises (CASE) Counsellors and Consultants

Description: This bank contains information on business and professional people who are registered as counsellors under the Business Development Bank of Canada( BDC)'s Consulting Services Group (formerly, the CASE counselling program). The information consists of their name, address, telephone number, Social Insurance Number (SIN) number, areas of specialization, availability, travel restrictions and background.Class of Individuals: Business and professional people registered under the program. Purpose: The data was compiled or obtained to provide information to coordinators on the qualifications and experience of counsellors with a view to matching them with the needs of the applicant business. Consistent Uses: The bank is used for statistical purposes and human resources administration and planning. Retention and Disposal Standards: Records are retained for 6 years from the date they become inactive and then destroyed. RDA Number: 2005/006 Related Record Number: BDC MTS 055 TBS Registration: 003371 Bank Number: BDC PPU 005

Securitization

The Securitization business line was developed by BDC during the economic crisis at the request of the Government of Canada in collaboration with private sector partners with the purpose to offer the Canadian Secured Credit Facility (CSCF). The objectives of the program were to provide funding to automotive and equipment financing companies and restart the securitization market in Canada.

Securitization Services

Securitization is a form of debt financing that relies on the pooling of illiquid assets (e.g. loans or leases) to mitigate some of the underlying risks. Securitization enhances companies’ access to capital markets funding on potentially better financial terms than those of more typical commercial lending.

BDC Internal Services

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Acquisitions

Acquisition Services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or a service to fulfil a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.

Communications Services

Communications Services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well-coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public—internal or external—receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.

Financial Management

Financial Management Services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.

Human Resources Management

Human Resources Management Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.

Information Management

Information Management Services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision making; facilitate accountability, transparency, and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.

Information Technology

Information Technology Services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.

Legal Services

Legal services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.

Management and Oversight Services

Management and Oversight Services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.

Material

Materiel Services involve activities undertaken to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Real Property

Real Property Services involve activities undertaken to ensure real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner, throughout its life cycle, to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Travel and other Administrative Services

Travel and Other Administrative Services include Government of Canada (GC) travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.

Classes of Personal Information

The general subject files of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) contain a certain amount of personal information relating to general correspondence, complaints and enquiries. The personal information contained in this class may include the name; home, business, mailing or email address; telephone number; account numbers; corporate financial information; and personal opinions or views of the individual, but is not arranged by personal identifiers. This form of personal information is normally retrievable only if specifics are provided concerning the subject and the date of the correspondence. The purpose of this bank is to maintain information relating to general correspondence, complaints and inquiries concerning the various functions of the BDC. The retention period for this class of personal information is controlled by the records schedules of the general subject files in which they are stored.

Manuals

  • BDC Code of Ethics
  • Information Assets Disposition Procedure
  • Information Management Corporate Directive
  • Information Security Governance Corporate Directive

Additional Information

How to make an Access to Information Act request at BDC

To make an Access to Information Act request for information held by BDC, complete the Access to Information Request Form or send a letter mentioning the Act and describing the records you are seeking to the ATIP Office. Please include details that will enable us to search for relevant records. An application fee of 5$ applies. You may send the application fee in the form of a cheque or money order payable to: Business Development Bank of Canada.

To access your personal information held by BDC

To access your own personal information held by BDC, you may complete the Personal Information Request Form or send a letter mentioning the Act and describing the information you are seeking to the ATIP Office. Please include details that will enable us to search for relevant records. There are no fees associated with making a request under the Privacy Act.

How to make an Informal Request outside the ATIP Process

The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through informal requests outside of the ATIP process. You may wish to consult BDC’s completed Access to Information (ATI) request summaries. To make an informal request or for additional information about the programs and activities for BDC, please contact us online or at the following:

Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator 5 Place Ville Marie, Suite 400 Montreal, Quebec H3B 5E7 Phone: 1-877-232-2269 Write us

Reading Room

In accordance with the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, the applicant may wish to review material in person. The address is:

Business Development Bank of Canada 5 Place Ville-Marie, 3rd floor Montreal, Quebec

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