Women’s Entrepreneurship Day

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made the following statement about Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on November 19, 2022:

“Every November 19 we celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day for its focus on empowering women and girls to become active participants in economies in their countries. By creating and bolstering networks of women leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs, women initiate and grow businesses, which drives economic expansion and the development of our communities.

“Not only is empowering women entrepreneurs the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Advancing women’s participation in the economy could add up to $150 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product.

“In Atlantic Canada, only 17 percent of small and medium-sized businesses are owned by women. On top of equality issues, women entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada face barriers and challenges related to access to information, mentorship, capital, new markets, quality networking and human resources. Their businesses, often in accommodation, food services and retail, have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is working to assist Atlantic Canada’s women entrepreneurs with these matters.

“As Minister responsible for ACOA, I am proud of the Agency’s unwavering commitment to helping women succeed in business through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and other available programs. For example, ACOA provides financing and pathfinding services to women-owned or women-led commercial projects across the region.

“Since 2019, ACOA supported 438 commercial projects, totalling $67.4 million, with women-owned or women-led companies.  These projects have created approximately 788 new jobs and maintained approximately 3,255 others.

“In addition, the Agency coordinates and provides support for women entrepreneurship programming in each Atlantic province. Organizations like the Centre for Women in Business in Nova Scotia, the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs, the PEI Business Women’s Association, and Women in Business New Brunswick are critical partners helping women entrepreneurs establish and expand their firms.

“On this Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, your government remains committed to delivering the targeted support required to help remove barriers and facilitate business development and growth for women entrepreneurs. Join me in recognizing and thanking the women entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada. Support their companies. And acknowledge the important roles they play contributing to a sustainable, inclusive economy that strengthens communities throughout the region.”