Government of Canada supports women-led organizations in southern Ontario
News release
Investment of nearly $4.2 million will support more than 230 women entrepreneurs
January 22, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario
Women entrepreneurs in Canada are strong contributors to the economy, and yet they often face unique challenges when starting and growing their businesses. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring opportunities for all Canadians, and helping women business owners succeed to strengthen the economy and create good jobs.
Today, the Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, visited PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise (PARO), a women-led not-for-profit social enterprise, that helps women in Ontario start and grow their businesses through educational programs, skills training, networking, mentoring and access to funding.
While there, Minister Sahota announced an investment of $750,000 for PARO to deliver the Women’s Innovation Initiative (WIN). WIN will be delivered in collaboration with multiple partners, including participating southern Ontario Community Futures Development Corporations and will provide more than 230 women entrepreneurs with training, coaching, mentorship and export readiness support as part of cohort-based programming, to help foster their growth.
Minister Sahota also announced an additional $3.4 million for four women-led companies: CASSEN Testing Laboratories, Nexxt Intelligence, Tristar Coatings Ltd. and Universal Seal Inc. With this support, these companies will scale-up, modernize their ventures, and grow. Additional information on these projects is included in the backgrounder.
The Government of Canada is committed to working together with women-led businesses and the organizations that support them to help them succeed and foster a thriving, inclusive economy into the future.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is ensuring that organizations like PARO and the four women-led companies announced today have the support and tools they need to thrive now and in the future. This investment is supporting women entrepreneurs in important sectors such as digital services, health tech, clean tech, agri-food, and manufacturing industries and ensuring a strong inclusive economic future.”
– The Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Today’s investment will help PARO continue to support women here in the community here in Ottawa and across southern Ontario. CASSEN Testing Laboratories, Nexxt Intelligence, PARO, Tristar Coatings Ltd. and Universal Seal Inc., are examples of strong women-led organizations. The Government of Canada is committed to helping our women entrepreneurs and the organizations that support them to grow and thrive.”
– The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier
“We are excited to deliver the Women’s Innovation Initiative to entrepreneurs to help foster growth within their ventures. With this Government of Canada support through FedDev Ontario, we will provide access to important tools and resources that will help participants grow their businesses and succeed.”
– Rosalind Lockyer, Founder, CEO, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise
Quick facts
-
Founded in 1995, and led by CEO Rosalind Lockyer, PARO is headquartered in Thunder Bay, Ontario, with offices in Toronto, Oshawa and Ottawa. Since 2010, PARO has supported nearly 35,000 women-led businesses and provided over $16.5 million in grant funding.
-
Today’s investment builds on an over $1.7-million investment from FedDev Ontario for PARO in March 2023 to deliver its Women's Enterprise Centre Southern and Eastern (WEC-SE) Ontario initiative. Through WEC-SE, PARO supported 260 businesses.
-
Established in 2000, CASSEN Testing Laboratories specializes in a wide range of analytical services including advanced research and in-depth studies on complex chemical issues.
-
Toronto-based Nexxt Intelligence has produced conversational AI in the market research industry through its award-winning suite of products.
-
Brampton-based Tristar Coatings Ltd., established in 1971, manufactures a full range of specialty coatings for the aerospace sectors, as well as industrial and commercial markets, from its factory in Toronto.
-
Founded in 1967, Bancroft-based Universal Seal manufactures polyurethane hydraulic seals to over 20 different countries.
-
Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $1 billion in over 2,350 projects related to women entrepreneurs in southern Ontario.
Associated links
Contacts
Myah Tomasi
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Myah.Tomasi@FedDevOntario.gc.ca
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
media@feddevontario.gc.ca
Stay Connected
Subscribe to FedDev Ontario's Southern Ontario Spotlight newsletter, featuring economic development news and updates from across the region.
Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for more information on how we are growing businesses, cultivating partnerships and building strong communities in southern Ontario.