TORONTO, June 1, 2011 /CNW/ - Scotiabank and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) today announced the following small businesses as the winners of the Small Business Big Impact Challenge:

• Employment Category: Burrard Market Square of Vanderhoof, BC;
• Products or Services Category: Creek Shore Farms of Jordan Station, Ontario; and
• Leadership Category: Mellohawk Logistics of Toronto, Ontario.

"With more than 1200 entries from small business owners across the country, this Challenge truly emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit of Canadians and brought forward the best of the best small businesses in our communities," said David Wilton, Director, Small Business, Scotiabank. "A key theme we noticed with all of the finalists was the importance of 'paying it forward' - the concept that a business repays the good deeds it has received by doing good deeds for others - and in the case of these small businesses, it is by positively impacting their communities. Congratulations to Burrard Market Square, Creek Shore Farms, Mellohawk Logistics and to all of the finalists."

The Small Business Big Impact Challenge invited nominations of local small businesses across Canada that could demonstrate that their business made a difference in the community where they live and work in one of the following three categories:

• Providing Employment: Implementing employment practices that reflect and support community needs as well as employment opportunities.
• Offering Products or Services: Creating new industries or ways of doing business, or offering unique products or services that benefit their community.
• Demonstrating Leadership: Taking a leadership role in initiatives for their community that ultimately makes it a better place to live and work.

"It was very difficult to choose only three winners from among the many worthy entries. Congratulations to the three winning businesses, but also to all the many others making a positive difference to their communities," said CFIB President Catherine Swift.

The Challenge attracted more than 1200 small business entrants from across Canada and was narrowed down to 15 finalists. One winner has been selected in each of three categories: Employment, Products or Services, and Leadership.

The 12 other finalists are:
Halifax Backpackers, Nova Scotia - Employment
That Extra Scratch Behind the Ear Grooming Salon and Daycare, Alberta - Employment
Dolphin Digital Technologies, Ontario - Employment
Civi Side Inc, Ontario - Employment
Bossy Nagy Geoffrey Group Chartered Accountants, Ontario - Leadership
Terrace Dining Room, Saskatchewan - Leadership
Tattletales Books Ltd., Nova Scotia - Leadership
Lighthouse Festival Theatre Corporation, Ontario - Leadership
WindsorEats.com, Ontario - Products or Services
Bryler Publications Inc., Nova Scotia - Products or Services
ALIVE Outdoors Inc., Ontario - Products or Services
Wendy's Mobile Market, Ontario - Products or Services

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.

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 $571 billion (as at April 30, 2011), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.