Backgrounder – Government of Canada announces funding to increase the economic participation of women in Canada

September 25, 2023 - Toronto, Ontario

To increase the economic participation of women in Canada, Women and Gender Equality Canada, announced $3 million over four years for the LEAP Pecaut Centre for Social Impact (LEAP).

The project entitled "The Equity Opportunity: Advancing Women’s Economic Well-Being" aims to increase the economic participation and prosperity of women in Canada, in particular women from equity-deserving groups. LEAP has undertaken activities to establish cohorts from these groups. This project aligns with the Women’s Program mandate to address systemic barriers to women’s equality, and the Women’s Program priority area of improving women’s and girls’ economic security and prosperity.

The funded project will start October 1, 2023, and will end March 31, 2027.      

WAGE’s financial contribution will enable LEAP to expand the project scope through the inclusion of additional organizations, programs, resources and tools, to strengthen strategic investments through the further distribution of funds to organizations and develop tailored approaches to increase program reach and impact, while supporting additional project activities. Programs and services will address one or more of the key drivers of women’s economic wellbeing, including, social supports, education and training as well as workforce opportunities.

As a result of LEAP’s model to scale social impact, organizations will become more sustainable, and the structural supports and cooperation between organizations and the private sector will strengthen. 

LEAP’s model prioritizes the selection of an investment in leaders and organizations with proven approaches to solving today’s most pressing issues. LEAP works with a cohort of organizations to bring their interventions and programs to scale and achieve a greater impact. To date, these programs have reached more than 2 million Canadians.