Can three centers of stock fraud merge and create a reputable Stock Exchange? The Canadians say "yes." "Forbes" won't have Vancouver Stock Exchange (VSE) to kick around any more. In 1989, "Forbes" called VSE "The Scam Capital of World." The name stuck. The VSE's reputation has made it impossible to sell VSE stocks anywhere in World. Yet, VSE is cornerstone of New Western Exchange.

The Alberta Stock Exchange (ASE) gave investors Bre-X, biggest mining stock fraud in history. The ASE spearheaded creation of New Western Exchange.

The Canadian Dealers Network (CDN) is third stooge joining New Western Stock Exchange. The CDN is Ontario Securities Commission's OTC cesspool.

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) has 88% of dollar value of shares traded in Canada. Recent regulatory changes moved TSE away from listing resource stocks. The New Western Canadian Stock Exchange is betting that they will get TSE speculators interested in resource stocks. To this end, VSE is doing "Dog & Pony" Shows in Europe. They hope to recruit faithful gold bugs back into their fold.

The Montreal Stock Exchange (MSE) has 10% of dollar value of shares traded in Canada. A Decade ago, they were in competition with TSE as Canada's leading Stock Exchange. In past Decade, quality of their listings has made them more of a competitor to scam ridden VSE. I suspect they'll eventually bury Western Exchange.

You can avoid paying professionals by not using them. If you use them, you must pay them. You are wasting your time trying to hire professionals without paying their retainer. If you don't use professional help, it will cost you millions of dollars when you sell your company.

Going to your doctor doesn't ensure immortality. Using a professional doesn't guarantee results. It's why quackery exists in every profession. The Equity Finance Industry is overloaded with quacks, swindlers, confidence men, stock promoters and crooks. Money attracts worst element in Society. You'll find stock promoters running many public companies. You'll find quacks pretending to be merchant bankers. You'll find swindlers as stock brokers. You'll find crooks running investment funds. You'll find confidence men as investment gurus. Equity Finance is a minefield. Less than 2% of investors and honest business owners survive trip across this minefield.

There isn't a guaranteed way to raise risk capital. Consider every option in your search for funding. Some options are pure scams, like Prime Bank Guarantees (PBG). Some options are cost effective, if you have talent and contacts to make them work, like a SCOR offering for president of local country club. Many financing options require professional help, like taking your company public.

You must consider two issues in selecting your path through Equity Finance Minefield. Does potential financial reward offset costs? Is Professional Help you will rely upon honest and competent?