CALGARY, May 19 /CNW/ - In a joint initiative sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and Scotiabank, a young Calgary woman, Chelsea Mitchell, has been chosen for the inaugural CFIB and Scotiabank Internship in Public Policy and Entrepreneurship. The internship provides placement and funding for six interns, one each from Regina, Calgary, Halifax, and Ottawa, and two from Toronto, for a four-month internship.

"Collaborating with Scotiabank on this exciting initiative is a great way to celebrate CFIB's 40^th anniversary and promote the Year of the Entrepreneur. This allows us to bring together our respective expertise and presents an invaluable opportunity for Canadian students," said Richard Truscott, Director of Provincial Affairs, Alberta, CFIB. "We want Ms. Mitchell to walk away from this internship with hands-on public policy and entrepreneurship experience that she can apply to her education."

Ms. Mitchell will be spending the next four months at the Calgary office of the CFIB, which represents 10,000 members from small and medium-sized businesses in Alberta. Ms. Mitchell will gain on-the-job, specialized and applied experience in public policy development, complete a major research report on a public policy issue, be exposed to special training sessions conducted by CFIB and work with other interns and staff across Canada.

"I am very excited to work for CFIB this summer! Together with Scotiabank, they have provided a fantastic opportunity for me and my fellow interns to work with entrepreneurs across Canada," said Ms. Mitchell.

Ms. Mitchell is in her fourth year of studies at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business where she is working toward her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting. Originally from Castlegar, British Columbia, Ms. Mitchell moved to Calgary in 2006 and spent three years working at a small florist shop while pursuing her studies. Working in a small business gave her a strong appreciation for the challenges facing our country's entrepreneurs.

Ms. Mitchell was selected from more than 250 applicants across Canada. She and her five counterparts come from diverse backgrounds, including undergraduate or graduate work in political science, economics, law, business, commerce, and public administration.

"Scotiabank is proud to partner with CFIB to present the new Internship in Public Policy and Entrepreneurship," said David Wilton, Director, Small Business, Scotiabank. "By supporting a diverse range of education programs, such as this one, Scotiabank hopes to give young people the skills, tools and experiences to develop their potential. We commend Ms. Mitchell for her motivation in pursuing an interest in public policy and entrepreneurship and wish her the best of luck."

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 70,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve some 18.6 million customers in more than 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With assets above $541 billion (as at January 31, 2011), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

About the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)
As Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by Entrepreneurs™. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 108,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy. www.cfib-fcei.ca.