FACT SHEET: LSIFs BY THE NUMBERS

A smart investment for Canadians

In 2004, it's estimated that 437,840 Canadians held shares in labour-sponsored investment funds.

It's not hard to see why. LSIFs are a smart way to invest a portion of your investment portfolio in the economy of the future. Thanks to farsighted government policies, LSIFs offer a significant upfront tax credit for the investor — and give many ordinary Canadians access to venture capital investing for the first time.

Investing in Canadian businesses

Ontario's LSIFs currently manage $2.9 billion in assets in 645 Canadian companies.

In fact, some of Canada's most famous companies are where they are today because of LSIF funding — including household names like Indigo and RIM. LSIFs have enabled the growth of some of our most innovative companies.

Creating jobs, generating growth

ALSIF member funds are helping fuel the growth of Canada's economy.

74,178 people have jobs at companies that have benefited from LSIF investments. And an amazing 692,550 people are members of the Canadian labour organizations that sponsor LSIFs.

Labour funds have delivered a major "bang for the buck" to our economy — with an annual impact of $2.3 billion on Ontario's GDP, and $2.6 billion on the national GDP.

Thanks to LSIFs, Canada's economy is larger, its unemployment rate is lower, innovative companies have greater access to capital, and more people are saving and investing for their retirement.