Government of Canada Supports women-led businesses in Prince Edward Island

CHARLOTTETOWN, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with Gail Shea Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, today announced Government of Canada support for women-led businesses in Prince Edward Island.

The PEI Business Women's Association is receiving funding for a project to increase opportunities for the economic advancement of entrepreneurial women across Prince Edward Island through the piloting of a sustainable mentorship model. Strategic partnerships will be developed with women entrepreneurs and key stakeholders to identify barriers, priorities, opportunities, and informal mentorship activities currently in use to contribute to the development of a formal mentorship model. The model will be piloted in urban and rural communities and will include online resources to ensure accessibility for women living in more isolated areas.

The Ministers made today's announcement on the occasion of an event marking Women's History Month in Charlottetown, PEI hosted by the PEI Business Women's Association and the PEI Interministerial Women's Secretariat.

This project was selected through the Government of Canada's recent call for proposals entitled Economic Prosperity: Positioning Women for Success.

Quick Facts

• Status of Women Canada is providing $237,218 to the PEI Business Women's Association for this 30-month project.
• The Government of Canada has provided over $146 million in funding through Status of Women Canada to support more than 720 projects since 2007. This includes more than $54 million invested in projects that promote women's economic security and prosperity.
• October is Women's History Month in Canada. The theme for 2014 is Canadian Business Women - A Growing Economic Force. From entrepreneurs to corporate leaders, women continue to play a pivotal role in building Canada's economic success.

Quotes

"The number one priority of our Government is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. That's why we are pleased to support projects like this in PEI and across Canada to provide sustainable mentorship opportunities that will help women-led businesses grow and prosper."

The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women

 

"Our Government is taking concrete action to create new economic opportunities for women in Prince Edward Island, including women-owned businesses.

This project with the PEI Business Women's Association will do just that by supporting women entrepreneurs in our community."

The Honourable Gail Shea
Member of Parliament for Egmont

"We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to support women-owned businesses in PEI. We look forward to collaborating with local stakeholders to increase formalized mentorship opportunities for women entrepreneurs in our community."

Hannah Bell
Executive Director
PEI Business Women's Association

Related Products

• Call for Proposals: Economic Prosperity: Positioning Women for Success

Additional Links

• Information About Status of Women Canada at women.gc.ca

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: Andrew McGrath, 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]