New federal funding will help improve women’s economic security in Québec

Press Release

From: Status of Women Canada

Project will improve support services and programs for part-time women entrepreneurs

October 9, 2018 – Shawinigan, Québec – Status of Women Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality and understands the important role that creating more opportunities for women in all aspects of Canadian life can play in promoting women’s empowerment. By investing in projects that improve women’s economic security, we are helping to ensure that women, their families and communities can prosper.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice—Champlain and Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, today announced federal funding for a project that will improve support services for part-time women entrepreneurs in Québec.

The Société d’aide au développement des collectivités (SADC) Centre-de-la-Mauricie will receive $306,947 in funding for their project, “Entreprendre au féminin autrement”.

This project will take stock of the situation of women who are part-time entrepreneurs in Shawinigan, Thetford Mines and Montréal, and allow for a comparison between the challenges faced in semi-rural, rural and urban settings. The project will bring together key partners at the municipal, provincial and federal levels to adapt existing programs and tools to respond more effectively to the needs of these women. The project will include a pilot in Shawinigan to test a full range of services for part-time women entrepreneurs. Lessons learned from this pilot will then enable the improvement and upgrading of partners’ programs and services.

Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity. In 2015, women in Canada earned just 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. They are also much more likely to work on a part-time basis, making up 76% of all part-time workers, with 25% of women reporting child care responsibilities as their reason for working part-time.

Quotes

“Our government knows that when we invest in women, we strengthen the economy for everyone, and that’s why these projects are so important: they are creating the right conditions for women to thrive in their careers – and their lives. By funding organizations like the SADC Centre-de-la-Mauricie that work to eliminate the barriers holding women back, we are ensuring that all Canadians – regardless of gender – have a real and fair chance at success.”

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women

“Society is changing. Needs are, too. And we have to be aware of the reality and challenges that today’s entrepreneurs are facing. I am very proud of the initiative taken by the SADC Centre-de-la-Mauricie. Entreprendre au féminin autrement will enable all socio-economic players to become aware of the phenomenon of part-time entrepreneurship, which increasingly involves women more, and to rethink the policies, measures and programs so that they are tailored and ready for this new reality. Our government is committed to ensuring that women have access to all the opportunities for succeeding and for moving our country forward.”

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice—Champlain
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“We are very pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting this project. Part-time women entrepreneurs in Québec face many barriers to success. Supporting these women with research and support targeted to their individual circumstances will make it easier for them to find help, secure their own financial future and add to Canada’s growing economy.”

Sylvie Lavergne
Directrice du développement et des communications
Société d’aide au développement des collectivités Centre-de-la-Mauricie

Quick facts

• RBC Economics estimates that adding more women to the workforce could boost the level of Canada’s GDP by as much as 4 per cent.
• McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance equality for women—such as employing more women in technology and boosting women’s participation in the workforce—Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.
• Projects are being funded through the call for proposals, Support for Women’s Economic Security, which was announced in October 2017.
  
• Economic security is composed of basic social security, defined by access to basic needs such as health, education and housing.
  
• More than 30 projects will receive a total of approximately $10 million in funding under this call for proposals.
  
• Funded projects address institutional barriers to women’s economic security including access to childcare, pay inequity and the gender wage gap.
  
• The Women’s Program at Status of Women Canada supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers.
  

Related products

• Backgrounder

Associated links

• SADC Centre-de-la-Mauricie
• Support for Women’s Economic Security
• Call for Proposals Application Guide
• General Eligibility Requirements for Women’s Program Funding
• Guidelines for Eligible Expenses
• Status of Women Canada – Women’s Program

Contacts

Justine Villeneuve
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Status of Women
613-558-9795

Valérie Haché
Communications Officer
Status of Women Canada
819-420-8684

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