Canada announced $1.4 million in additional funding for six recipients in British Columbia to support women entrepreneurs to navigate the pandemic and continue to grow their businesses. This investment represents a top-up to the $6.3 million in Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) funding previously provided to these organizations.
Women entrepreneurs are crucial to Canada’s economic success, and supporting their success is key to ensuring a strong, inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As Canada marks the one year anniversary of this crisis, it has never been more important to ensure the economic gains women have made are not lost.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for women entrepreneurs. The Government of Canada is committed to an inclusive and equitable recovery that ensures all Canadians can benefit from a strong, resilient economy. This funding is helping women entrepreneurs adapt and position their businesses for success,” said the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minster of Digital Government and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra.
The top-up funding invests in an ecosystem of organizations that aim to support women entrepreneurs in British Columbia through coaching, mentorship and networking opportunities, especially during the challenges of the past year. The funding also helps businesses start up, scale up and access new markets, which is even more important as the economy recovers from COVID-19.
“The past year has had a disproportionate impact on women business owners, and investing in women entrepreneurs is critical as we look towards economic recovery. Women’s Enterprise Centre is grateful for the recognition of this increased need for support to women-owned businesses. This funding enables us to provide direct support to women across the province, including to entrepreneurs in rural communities as well as immigrant and indigenous women entrepreneurs,” said Jill Earthy, CEO of Women’s Enterprise Centre.
The six organizations are: Community Futures Development Corporation of Fraser Fort George, Community Futures Development Corporation of North Okanagan, Community Futures Development Corporation of Shuswap, Groundswell Education Society, SUCCESS and Women’s Enterprise Centre.
