Toronto, ON – Friday May 9, 2025 – In a pivotal meeting held at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) headquarters in Toronto, senior executives from BDC met with representatives from the Society of Professional Accountants of Canada (RPA CANADA) to reinforce a shared commitment to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Canada. This timely collaboration comes at a critical moment as Canadian businesses navigate economic uncertainty fueled by shifting global trade dynamics, including the reintroduction of tariffs by the U.S. administration.
Representing RPA Canada were: Zubair Choudhry, RPA, APA, President & CEO; Michael Saniga, Director of Engagement & Learning Innovation; Umar Choudhry, CPA, Director of Education Outreach; Alejandro Velez, MBA, Office Manager.
The BDC delegation included prominent leaders from its Toronto, Vaughan, and Meadowvale offices, notably: Pam Horan, Regional Marketing and Partnerships Manager; Sola Oluwole, PMP, M.Sc, Manager, Inclusive Entrepreneurship; Maria De Dominicis, Operations Support Assistant; Amber Green, CHRL (She/Her), Senior Advisor, Strategy Implementation; Ben Nyboer, Director, Entrepreneurship Centre; AMY SIU and Paolo Gullo, Managers at the Vaughan Entrepreneurship Centre.
The meeting emphasized cooperation in supporting entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on business financing and consulting services for startups and growing businesses. Both organizations shared insights on enhancing accessibility to financing, mentorship, and learning pathways for emerging entrepreneurs — especially women, immigrants, and internationally trained professionals.
During the discussion, Zubair Choudhry, President of RPA Canada, informed BDC that RPA Certified Accounting Practitioners are well-trained and fully authorized to prepare “Compilation Engagement Reports” for small to medium-sized businesses across Canada. He emphasized that RPA CANADA maintains high ethical standards with a strong commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring the protection of public interest in all areas of professional practice.
RPA Canada also highlighted its mission to uplift the accounting profession and support SME growth through robust professional education, including its partnerships with global accounting bodies and its Women Entrepreneur Awards initiative. BDC reaffirmed its strategic role in fostering innovation and inclusivity in business, aligning with RPA’s grassroots community reach.
Zubair Choudhry further stressed the importance of strengthening economic resilience: “Canada must keep its doors open to global trade and investment, particularly in the SME sector. Amid economic headwinds such as Trump-era tariffs returning to the conversation, partnerships like ours with BDC ensure Canadian businesses stay competitive, adaptable, and globally connected.”
