The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund will support women-owned and women-led businesses
TORONTO, Sept. 28, 2018 /CNW/ – The full and equal participation of women in the economy is essential to Canada’s competitiveness because when women succeed, everyone succeeds.

That’s why in Budget 2018, the federal government launched the first ever (WES), a $2-billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned and women-led businesses by 2025.

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, who were joined by women entrepreneurs and leaders, announced the and participated in a panel on women’s entrepreneurship.

The up to $85-million investment will help organizations address the barriers and challenges that women entrepreneurs face and deliver improved support and programs for women-owned and -led businesses.

The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy complements Government of Canada efforts to advance gender equality through addressing pay equity, introducing more affordable childcare and putting an end to gender-based violence.

Quotes

“Our government believes that women’s economic empowerment is not just the right thing to do; it’s good for the bottom line. That’s why we launched the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a strategy that seeks to double the number of women-owned and women-led businesses by increasing their access to financing, networks and advice. It’s a smart investment with an economic and social return. I’m thrilled that the WES Ecosystem Fund will help foster women entrepreneurship from coast to coast to coast.”
– The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion

“When we invest in women, we strengthen the economy for everyone. That is what our government is doing with the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and the significant investment announced today during Gender Equality Week. By supporting women in business, we are growing our middle class and creating a thriving economy that benefits our sons and daughters. And we have a $150 billion reason to do this well because that’s what we’ll add to our GDP in less than a decade if we successfully take steps to advance equality, such as boosting women’s participation in the workforce.”
– The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women

Quick facts

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For further information: Mallory Clyne, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, mallory.clyne@canada.ca; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, , ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

 

Original Article can be found at: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/minister-ng-announces-funding-for-womens-entrepreneurship-694619111.html 

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From: Western Economic Diversification Canada

News release

Strategy aims to grow the economy and create middle class jobs by building on Western Canada’s unique strengths and competitive advantages

September 11, 2018 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Western Economic Diversification Canada

The new global economy presents exciting opportunities but also requires greater innovation for businesses and economies to grow. In fact, changes in today’s competitive landscape are driving businesses to rethink their strategies to reach beyond their traditional boundaries.

From coast to coast to coast, Canada’s economy is as diverse as its landscapes, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. That is why the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), today launched an engagement plan to develop a regional growth strategy with Western Canadians for Western Canadians.

As announced in Budget 2018, the Government is committing $208 million over five years to promote the development and diversification of the Western Canadian economy. This strategy will grow the region’s economy, create good middle-class jobs, and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity across the four western provinces.  It also builds on the Innovation and Skills Plan to make Canada a world leader in innovation and create good middle class jobs

Western Canadians are invited to share their ideas online to help shape the Western Canada Growth Strategy. Over the fall, roundtable discussions will take place in major cities across Western Canada with businesses, different levels of government, thought leaders, Indigenous Peoples, rural communities, women, youth, and new immigrants to develop a new targeted approach to economic development with a focus on innovation.

Quotes
“Western Canada’s unique set of strengths and challenges requires a long-term economic growth strategy built in close collaboration with the people who make this economy work. Our government is committed to growing the Western Canadian economy and strengthening its middle class. By engaging directly with Western Canadians, we will develop a Western Canada Growth Strategy that builds on regional strengths and focuses on innovation to establish a foundation for long-term prosperity and good middle class jobs.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

Quick facts

• The Western Canada Growth Strategy will be a roadmap to build an innovative Western Canada – one that strengthens the economy, supports innovative and resource-based industries, and increases job opportunities for all Canadians.
• Western Canada is home to the four fastest-growing provincial populations.
• Western Canada’s diverse economies create over 35% of Canada’s real gross domestic product (GDP).
• Over 60% of Canada’s value-added agriculture is produced in Western Canada.
• Over 425,000 small businesses employ over 3.4 million people across the West.
• Five of the top 15 Canadian research universities are based in Western Canada.

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/western-economic-diversification/news/2018/09/government-of-canada-announces-new-funding-and-engagement-plan-for-western-canada-growth-strategy.html

 

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Are you ready to get busy in November? Do you want to spend a week meeting German and British women entrepreneurs and corporations to talk trade?

BWIT is working with other Canadian Trade Commissioner teams located in Germany and the UK to help you get your women-owned company out there in front of European women entrepreneurs to explore opportunities and collaborations that could help you grow your business. There are eager women’s trade associations and there are dynamic trade agreements (like the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement – CETA) already in place to help.

Promote your company through speaking opportunities at workshops, panels, networking events and B2B meetings in Hamburg and in Stuttgart. There you can expect to find German women to partner with and corporations to sell to.

Go to London with us and join the annual conference of Europe’s WEConnect International (WECI), where you will meet leading British women entrepreneurs, attend networking events and meetings, and have a chance to engage with the Canadian trade team on the ground in London who can help you make contacts even after you leave the country.

Where and when: GERMANY (Hamburg & Stuttgart) and UNITED KINGDOM (London)*

November 4: Arrive in Germany
November 5-7: Program in Hamburg (Nov 5) and Stuttgart (Nov 6)
November 7: Departure from Stuttgart for London, U.K.
November 7: Late afternoon arrival London, U.K.
November 8-9: Attend WEConnect International in Europe Annual Conference (includes programming for certified and non-certified women-owned businesses)
November 10: Depart U.K.
*Canadian companies can join one or both legs of the trade mission.

Your costs:

Return flights and surface transportation (trans-Atlantic and internal short haul flights)
Accommodation and meals (BWIT will secure reduced accommodation rates at hotels in Germany and London)
Registration fee to WEConnect International conference – WECI (BWIT is working to secured reduced rate)
Estimates in $CDN:
Flights – based on economy class from Ontario – varies depending on transatlantic routing; intercity flights in Germany and between UK – $CDN 1,750
Accommodation – six nights based on single occupancy – $CDN 2,000
WEConnect International fee – up to $CDN 700 (depending on level of certification)
BWIT will cover costs of:

In Hamburg and Stuttgart, Germany – networking program for Canadian WBEs, group surface transportation;
Networking event in London with the Canadian High Commission.

To register, contact us: bwit@international.gc.ca. To ensure discounts through block hotel bookings and benefit from reduced travel rates, please register by: Friday, October 5th, 2018.

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