This One Funding Strategy Could Unlock Millions for Canadian Startups (with David Perry and Paul LaBarge)
In this episode of Small Business Big Insights, Eric Saumure sits down with David Perry and Paul LaBarge—two champions of Canadian innovation—to dive deep into a bold proposal that could reshape the future of early-stage business funding. Drawing inspiration from Canada’s mining sector and successful UK policy, they explain how adapting flow-through share structures to tech startups and small businesses could ignite local investment, drive job creation, and help homegrown companies scale without fleeing the country. The idea is simple yet profound: allow investors to claim immediate tax deductions for backing early-stage ventures, effectively reducing their risk and increasing the viability of Canadian innovation. The conversation also touches on national economic resilience, the gaps in current programs like SR&ED, and how democratizing wealth through broader investor access can create meaningful change.
This discussion isn’t just theory—it’s a roadmap. Canadian small business owners stand to benefit from a funding model that prioritizes simplicity, broad access, and real economic impact. You’ll learn how this approach compares to existing options, why it’s gaining political traction, and how it could unlock new opportunities in communities across the country—not just in major tech hubs. Best of all, you’ll find out how to get involved. Entrepreneurs and advocates can endorse the movement, share their stories, and help shape a funding ecosystem that truly supports Canadian-owned growth. If you’re building a business and looking for smart, scalable ways to grow, this episode is packed with insight and action.
00:00 – Intro: Meet David Perry & Paul LaBarge
01:30 – What flow-through shares are, and why they matter beyond mining
06:30 – Focusing on tech first: a strategic step toward broader eligibility
08:15 – Canada’s economic vulnerability and why timing matters now
10:30 – How the idea gained political momentum and party platform attention
15:30 – Why flow-through shares are not just for the wealthy
17:00 – What the government gains: economic activity, jobs, and taxes
20:00 – The case for job creation in rural and underserved regions
25:00 – Simplifying what qualifies: reducing friction for small businesses
32:00 – Broadening access to capital and employee ownership
34:00 – Quality jobs: how this policy creates long-term economic value
36:00 – Innovation vs. commercialization: why Canada struggles with the latter
41:00 – The policy pitch: low cost, high return, and no bureaucracy
43:00 – Final thoughts: democratizing investment and wealth creation
45:00 – What small business owners can do: take action at canflowthrough.com
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