Canadian Business Women - A Growing Economic Force

OTTAWA, Aug. 13, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - This October, Canadians will celebrate the successes and accomplishments of business women in honour of Women's History Month 2014. This year's theme - Canadian Business Women – A Growing Economic Force - highlights the valuable contributions made by women to the Canadian economy. 

Women in Canada play an invaluable role in business and entrepreneurship. But the extent and nature of their involvement, especially in our early history, are not well documented, if at all.

Throughout Women's History Month 2014, the Government of Canada will encourage Canadians to learn more about and honour the accomplishments of women in business and entrepreneurship, yesterday and today. Knowing this proud history can inspire talented, innovative, enterprising women and girls across Canada to pursue opportunities in the business world, and join in building a stronger economy for all.

Quick Facts

• Women's History Month is celebrated each year throughout the month of October and includes the commemoration of the "Persons Case" when, on October 18, 1929, women were first legally recognized as "persons" under Canadian law.
• As of 2011, 15.6% of small- and medium-sized businesses in Canada were majority-owned by women.
• RBC Economics reports that, in 2011, majority-owned women's businesses contributed an estimated $148 billion to the Canadian economy.
• Women-owned businesses currently employ over 1.5 million Canadians, according to BMO Financial Group.
• Through the Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada will be taking steps to increase mentorship among women entrepreneurs. As part of the initiative, the Minister of Status of Women will consult on how to increase the number of women entering into and succeeding in business.
• Since 2007, Status of Women Canada's Women's Program has provided over $54 million for projects that promote women's economic security and prosperity. This includes over $9 million for projects which aid and support women's entrepreneurship. An additional $21 million has gone to projects that promote women in leadership and democratic decision-making roles.

Additional Links

• Information on Women's History Month 2014
• Information on Persons Day

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Photos of Minister Leitch are available.  

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Image with caption: "A map of Canada on a green background with a silhouette of a woman holding a paper in her left hand and, with her right, she is holding a marker to the tip of an arrow that points upward. (CNW Group/Status of Women Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140813_C3071_PHOTO_EN_4826.jpg

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: Andrew McGrath, A/Director of Communications, Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Tel: [phone], [email protected]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]; For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.