REGINA, SK – November 4, 2025 — Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) welcomes the 2025 Federal Budget as a plan focused on fiscal stability, competitiveness, and generational prosperity. The organization joins the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) in affirming the importance of responsible stewardship and investment in women-led businesses as a cornerstone of Canada’s economic renewal and long-term strength. 

“National resilience, as highlighted in the budget, resonates with the mission of women entrepreneurs shaping Canada’s economic empowerment,” said Miriam Johnson, CEO, WESK. “Women-owned businesses in Saskatchewan are prepared to drive economic growth, generate employment, and invest in vibrant, resilient communities across the province.” 

Budget 2025 renews Canada’s commitment to gender equality through permanent funding for the Department for Women and Gender Equality ($382.5 million over five years, plus $76.5 million ongoing). This ongoing support reinforces that embedding gender and diversity in economic decision-making delivers stronger outcomes for all Canadians.

At the same time, the Budget’s focus on productivity, competitiveness, and regional economic development opens new pathways for women entrepreneurs to participate in Canada’s broader growth agenda — including areas such as regional innovation, procurement modernization, trade diversification, export readiness, and creative-economy growth.  

Through WEOC’s national loan fund and the network of women’s enterprise centres and organizations, including WESK, more than $25 million in loans have supported over 560 women-owned businesses over the past three years. In Saskatchewan, WESK’s impact is clear: 144,000 women have reached out for support, and 35,000 have accessed our programs and training. WESK has loaned $48 million to women business owners, helping them start, grow, and scale businesses that anchor communities. Thanks to this targeted wraparound support, women-owned businesses utilizing WESK’s services have injected half a billion dollars into the Saskatchewan economy – demonstrating the transformative power of investing in women entrepreneurs. 

“This budget reflects responsible stewardship and strategic investment in Canada’s future,” said Victoria Lennox, MSM, Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC). “The strength of women’s entrepreneurship lies in our collaboration. Together with partners across the country, we are advancing a unified vision of long-term stability, competitiveness, and generational prosperity.” 

WESK welcomes measures that support innovation, small-business productivity, and trade diversification, and encourages attention to equitable access for rural, Indigenous, newcomer, and under-represented women.  

Next Step: 

WESK will participate in WEOC’s National Post-Budget Dialogue: Women Powering Canada’s Prosperity on November 19, 2025. Partners, policymakers, and entrepreneurs can register at weoc.ca/budget2025 or contact info@weoc.ca. 

About Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) 

Founded in 1995, Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) is a non-profit organization with more than 900 members across the province. The organization’s mission is to empower women entrepreneurs to start, develop, lead and grow their businesses to drive economic growth. Supported by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), WESK offers affordable services like business advising, financing, training and province-wide networking events. Members benefit from access to a diverse network of innovative entrepreneurs to learn, gain inspiration and help them achieve their business goals and dreams. WESK works closely with WEOC, as a Loans Partner, to ensure women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan have access to necessary funds to support their business goals.  

Media contact 

Michael Betteridge | Brand Manager 

Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) 

mbetteridge@wesk.ca | 306-477-6286 | www.wesk.ca 

About the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) 

WEOC is the national voice advancing women’s entrepreneurship and economic leadership. Working through a network of women’s enterprise centres and organizations, WEOC delivers programs, capital, and capacity to help women start, grow, and scale their businesses. Through its national loan fund and partnerships with government and industry, WEOC strengthens Canada’s women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and drives inclusive prosperity across the country. 

Media Contact 

Lindsay Stewart Glor | Communications Manager 

Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) 

lstewartglor@weoc.ca | 204-296-0544 | www.weoc.ca